The deadline for submitting responses to the Island’s GP Patient Survey is fast approaching. Eight thousand three hundred people, who were selected at random to receive a survey, have until Friday 21 August 2015 to complete and submit their copy.

The survey, which is being run by Ipsos MORI, has been commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care, with the results and feedback helping to shape the development of GP services in the future.

The survey covers a range of topics which examine patient satisfaction with GP services, asking questions relating to personal experience on:

• Accessing GP services
• Making an appointment
• Waiting times
• Last GP appointment
• Last nurse appointment
• Overall experience
• Out of hours care.

Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said: “Gathering and listening to patient feedback is an important way of assessing how services are performing. This survey offers a representative sample of the Island’s population the opportunity to have their say on our vital GP services and, in doing so, shape their future development.”

The survey follows a similar exercise in 2013 which found that 93% of respondents were happy with their GP practice.

The survey comes with a pre-paid envelope which is addressed to the Department of Health and Social Care where the results will be collated and sent on to Ipsos MORI for analysis. The results of the survey will be published at the end of September.

In addition to this survey, patients are also reminded that they can give feedback on GP services at any time by visiting www.tinyurl.com/iomgp.