What is The GP Patient Survey?
The GP Patient Survey (GPPS) was conducted for the second year in 2008. The results of the first survey were published by the Department of Health (DH) in 2007 and may be found on The Department of Health website
The GPPS was commissioned by the DH and was conducted on behalf of the DH by Ipsos-MORI.
Why do we have The GPPS?
The GPPS was developed to collect information to reward GP practices according to performance on elements of patient access to GP services and choice of hospital services.
How is it measured?
The survey measures GP practices' performance against the standards set out in the Directed Enhanced Services (DESs) - known as 'Improved Access Scheme' and 'Choice and Booking'.
The GPPS comprises a survey on access and a survey on choice.
- the access survey: almost two million people registered at GP practices in England responded to a questionnaire which asked how easy or difficult it is for them to see or speak to a doctor, or access services at their practice
- the choice survey: over a quarter of a million people who were referred to hospital by their GP responded to a questionnaire which asked if they were offered some choice of hospital for their appointment.
GPPS results trigger reward payments to practices signed up to the DESs.