Fresh set of data, collected from GP Patient Survey on 1 million people selected at random, now gives GPs marks – on a scale of 10 – on the basis of their availability, conduct with patients and performances, among other parameters. The result of the survey is published online on the NHS Choices website.

The survey is made all over the nation and takes into account issues like how easy it is to access a particular GP and how well the doctor and the nurse elaborate conditions to their patients.

The government is hopeful that such a measure will help patients decide on which GP to consult not only by comparing one to another on the basis of performance or where they can expect to be best treated but also which GP has experience of dealing with a particular ailment more frequently than other condition.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, informed, “Our helpline is seeing a trend of increasing complaints about GPs, covering a number of areas, including difficulties obtaining an appointment, complaints about behaviour of reception staff and other factors that affect their overall experience.”

“These changes will not resolve these issues overnight, but providing clear and easily comparable data is certainly a step forward”, Murphy resonated with confidence.

However, doctors’ groups are cynical how well such results can judge the varied challenges that surgeries involve and doctors have to tackle. A BMA spokesperson has also complained about the added difficulty because of “resources which are increasingly being squeezed by government cuts”.

The Department of Health assures different aspects of a GP’s practice are judiciously considered.

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