The 2024 GP Patient Survey has revealed the Bolton surgeries where patients are able to get appointments when they want them. For those who like a same-day appointment, St Helens Road Practice (Garnet Fold Practice) came in the borough's top position, with 59 per cent of the practice’s patients saying their most recent appointment had been on the same day as when they contacted their practice. The practice's automated phone system says they are not able to process pre-booked appointments, only offering same-day appointments and asking people to call before 10am.
Dr G Ghaie said: “We at Garnet Fold Practice have been working hard to improve patient access. “Our patients can use multiple platforms such as telephone, online consult and email to gain access to the services. “It is extremely rewarding to hear that our efforts have been appreciated.
Despite the limited resources in this current financial climate, we will remain committed to improve patient care by listening to our patients.” Of all practices in the borough, the average figure for patients who said they got their last appointment on the same day as they requested it was 29 per cent. On the other end of the spectrum was Fig Tree Medical Practice, with just 12 per cent of the practice’s appointments occurring on the same day.
Fig Tree Medical Practice was contacted for comment. Wyresdale Road Surgery, Stonehill Medical Centre, and Crompton View Surgery, also had low proportions of same-day appointments, wi.