RCGP Response to NHS Choices’ Announcement on Patient
Feedback
14th October
2009
RCGP Chairman Professor Steve Field said:
“It’s important for patients to have the opportunity to feedback
their views on the services provided by their GP practices -
and important that GPs use this to continuously improve their
services and drive up standards of patient care.
GPs should not - and need not - be scared of
this. We’ve looked at the NHS Choices site and this is more of an
information service for patients rather than a ‘ratings’ system for
GPs. It uses information that is already publicly available,
provided by GP practices, and there are enough safeguards in place
to ensure that the system is used appropriately and not abused.
We should welcome any moves to encourage
greater transparency and accountability but should always remember
that the relationship patients have with their GP and GP practice
is unique and that general practice remains the jewel of the NHS
crown – a fact demonstrated by numerous patient satisfaction
surveys.”