Patient satisfaction in large scale GPs mixed, study finds

A study conducted by the Patients Association examining the outcomes of newly formed large-scale general practices has revealed mixed results for patients.
 
Following the release of the Nuffield Trust’s report into new large-scale general practices, the Patients Association has reviewed the overall impact on patient experience. The analysis showed that ‘there was little patient involvement in the decision to operate at larger scale in any case study site. Patient participation groups (PPGs) were typically informed after the decision had been made and were subsequently invited to help to design shared services’ and that ‘patients were anxious about larger-scale organisations because they feared losing access to their regular GP and not being recognised by staff.’
 
Commenting on the report, Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association said: "There are clearly some welcoming signs that general practices are finding innovative pathways in order to protect the sustainability of general practice, which we know is the bedrock of patient care in the community. Moreover, the Patients Association welcome the ambition for general practices to develop extended services, such as specialist clinics. We await with anticipation that we see positive outcomes in these areas as these new GP models develop over time.
 
“However, it is concerning that the Nuffield Trust were unable to detect marked differences in the quality of service provided despite concerted efforts to achieve improvements. Likewise, the Patients Association are disappointed to learn that patients were not involved in the process of GP enlargement from the beginning. It is vital that patients are on board with healthcare changes from the start to ensure that patients remain at the heart of everything the NHS does.”