Patients across County Durham have revealed which surgeries are the best and worst according to a recent survey.

The GP Patients Survey 2022 results are in and asked patients a number of questions about their local surgery across the country.

Patients were asked a range of questions from whether they had a good overall experience to whether they felt the receptionists are helpful.

One GP surgery in County Durham received just a 51 percent for overall good experience, while another surgery received a 98 percent for “good overall experience.”

Which surgery in County Durham is the worst according to the survey?

The Northern Echo: Belmont and Sherburn Medical GroupBelmont and Sherburn Medical Group

Belmont and Sherburn Medical Group was rated the worst GP surgery in County Durham with just 51 percent of patients having a “good overall experience.”

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Just 30 percent found it easy to get though on the phone and 39 percent had a good experience making an appointment.

A respectable 93 percent did find that they had confidence and trust in healthcare professionals at the surgery.

However, 60 percent of all appointments were remote and just 20 percent of patients were able to see their preferred GP.

Coming close behind was Bowburn Medical Centre with just a 53 percent “good overall experience” from patients.

Just 34 percent of patients said it was easy to get through on the phone just 76 percent felt their GP had listened to them.

What surgery was the best in County Durham according to the survey?

The Northern Echo: Gainford SurgeryGainford Surgery

The best surgery was Gainford Surgery with a 98 percent “overall good experience” from patients.

99 percent of patients felt that it was easy to get through on the phone and just 14 percent of appointments were remote.

100 percent  of patients said their needs were met, had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional and were involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about care and treatment.

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99 percent of patients were also treated with care and concern and 97 percent of patients felt their mental health needs were recognised and understood.

Coming in close second place is Annfield Plain Surgery with a 95 percent of patients having a “good overall experience.”

The Northern Echo: Annfield Plain SurgeryAnnfield Plain Surgery

100 percent found the receptionists helpful and 98 percent had confidence and trust in healthcare professionals.

Dave Gallagher, Executive Director of Placed Based Delivery, Central and Tees Valley: “I’m really pleased that primary care continues to be rated highly by patients across County Durham providing a positive experience for people.

"The results are a good reflection on the hard work that all practice staff – from GPs, nurses, practice pharmacists, other healthcare professionals and staff such as practice managers, receptionists and administrators – put in to provide patient-centred services in what has been and continues to be an unprecedented time.

"In June 2022, there were 258,267 appointments across County Durham with 164,193 patients being seen face to face and 127,429 by other health professionals.

"This equates to 63.6 percent of appointments being face to face.

“We recognise that there are areas for improvement and this is something that the ICB is working on with GP practices, supporting a number of initiatives including online services to increase patient choice and improve how patients can access surgery appointments and services"

See where your local surgery ranked in the patient survey below:

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