Increasing numbers of patients experience difficulties phoning GPs

Official figures also demonstrate the number of patients having difficulty is rising. The NAO studied various datasets covering thousands of patients in England to analyse performance over the past year. Results of the study saw that around 75 per cent of patients got an appointment within the timeframe they wanted, but overall satisfaction was showing a gradual decline.

Data revealed that the proportion of patients getting an appointment fell from 91 per cent in 2011-12 to 89 per cent in 2014-15.

The report also found that since October 2012, only 18 per cent of patients had access to a GP within a mile radius that was open until 8 pm. Furthermore, 15 per cent of patients were of the mind that weekend opening would make it easier for them to see a doctor, while only two per cent said they would be able to attend Sunday appointments.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, said: “Against the background of increasing demand and pressure on NHS resources, the challenge is how to maintain people’s positive experience of accessing general practice and reduce variation.

“The Department of Health (DoH) and NHS England are working to improve access, but are making decisions without fully understanding either the demand for services or the capacity of the current system. Better data is needed so that decisions about how to use limited resources to best effect are well informed.”

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: “Patients do not have good enough access to primary healthcare. The report highlights how, for many younger patients, GP opening times are inconvenient.

“We need an NHS that understands that people have jobs and families to take care of. Much more must be done to ensure that they have access to GPs, particularly in the evenings and at the weekend.”

An NHS England spokesman said: “Real-terms spending on general practice has increased every year since NHS England was established, following two years of decline, and the vast majority of patients have reported a positive experience when accessing general practice.

“This year we are investing an extra £126 million to improve access to general practice as well as working closely with our partners to expand the primary care workforce and further benefit patients.”

A (DoH) spokesman said: “This report shows patients want better access to their GP, and that’s exactly why we’re providing everyone with evening and weekend appointments by 2020.

“To do that, we are making available an estimated 5,000 more doctors in general practice so we have the skills we need to provide that seven-day service.”

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