NHS Confederation: Primary Care Trust Network comments on HCC primary care survey

NHS confederation logo for press releases

Thursday, 31, Jul 2008 12:00

Responding to the HCC Patient Survey, David Stout, Director of the Primary Care Trust Network which represents the majority of Primary Care Trusts said:

“The results of the survey confirm that there are generally very high levels of satisfaction with primary care and evidence of continued improvement. However, it is clear that there is still quite wide variation in rates of satisfaction with access to both GP services and dentistry across the country.

“In areas where NHS dental treatment is widely available but uptake is relatively low, PCTs may want to be more proactive to ensure that patients have the information they need to register with an NHS dentist, and realise the importance of visiting a dentist regularly. In other areas where there is a genuine gap in provision, PCTs will want to consider further investment in NHS dentistry, but this must be considered alongside all the other local health priorities.”

“It is disappointing that some patients are not getting access to advice on healthy eating and weight loss when they want it. GPs have an important role to play in promoting public health and it is important that patients can get advice on developing healthy lifestyles as part of a comprehensive package of care.

“In the parts of the country where patients find it more difficult to get a GP appointment, PCTs will continue working hard to find local solutions to widen access, and the introduction of new health centres and extending opening will help improve access and patient choice.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1. The PCT Network represents the vast majority of primary care trusts in England. The Network is part of the NHS Confederation;

2. The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

3. Contact Niall Smith 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309, Ruth Kennedy 020 7074 3312 or 07884 47 3086, or Ruby Casey-Knight 020 7074 3306 or 07881 957305. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.

Ruth Kennedy

Media Relations Officer

DDI: 020 7074 3312

Mobile: 07884 473 086

www.nhsconfed.org

NHS Employers annual conference and exhibition 2008

4 – 6 November 2008, Birmingham

www.nhsemployers.org/2008

NHS Confederation annual conference and exhibition 2009

10 - 12 June 2009, Liverpool