The Scottish Government

The following frequently asked questions and answers will provide you with more information about the GP Access Survey.

What is the GP Patient Access Survey?

What is the survey for?

How have I been selected to take part?

What will happen to the information I provide?

Why is this important and why should I take part?

Do I have to take part?

Do I have to answer every question?

Will anyone see my answers to the survey?

Why are you asking about ehnic group and disability?

What if I haven't been in contact with my GP recently?

What is meant by GP Access?

What if I didn't go to the GP myself in the last year but took my child?

Contacts

This is a short survey which is being sent by the Scottish Government to the homes of almost 550,000 patients registered with GPs in Scotland. The survey contains 5 questions asking about how easy it is for you to see or speak to a doctor or nurse for medical advice at your GP Surgery.

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What is this survey for?

This survey is being carried out with the purpose of measuring the new Quality and Outcome QOF Indicators for patient experience of access.

What are the new Quality and Outcome Framework Indicators?

In April 2008, two new indicators were introduced into the Patient Experience domain of the QOF. These are designed to reward practices according to their patients' reported experience of access to the practice, specifically in relation to quick and convenient access to consultations with health professionals, both within 2 working days and in advance of this time. The new indicators for Scotland are:

PE7 The percentage of patients who, in the appropriate national survey, indicate they were able to obtain a consultation with an appropriate health professional within 2 working days (Range 70-90%, 23.5 points)

PE8 The percentage of patients who, in the appropriate national survey, indicate they were able to book an appointment with a GP more than 2 days ahead. (Range 60-90%, 35 points)

What is the QOF?

The Quality & Outcomes Framework (QOF) is a system to remunerate general practices for providing good quality care to their patients, and to help fund work to further improve the quality of health care delivered. It is a fundamental part of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract, introduced on 1st April 2004. The core philosophy underpinning the QOF is that incentives are the best method of resourcing work, driving up standards, and recognising practices' achievements.

The QOF measures achievement against a range of evidence-based indicators, with points and payments awarded according to the level of achievement. It is a voluntary part of the new GMS contract; general practices can aspire to achieve all, part, or none of the points available in QOF (although to date, most practices with a GMS contract have participated fully). Additionally, practices with other contract types ("17c" or "2c") may choose to participate in the QOF.

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How have I been selected to take part?

You were randomly selected to participate in this survey from the NHS list of patients registered with a GP. Your contact details are stored securely and confidentially by the NHS and the Scottish Government.

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The information you give will be analysed to produce overall results for each GP Practice. It will not be possible for anyone at the surgery, health board or Government to identify your individual results. Results will be published by the Scottish Government next summer at www.scotland.gov.uk.

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This questionnaire was developed and tested by IPSOS MORI, an independent survey company.

The Scottish Government (SG), the Scottish General Practitioners Committee of the BMA (SGPC) and National Services Scotland (ISD and PSD) oversee the development and administration of this survey.

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GPs need to understand about the experience of their patients so that they can see whether their booking systems are working well enough.

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No you do not have to take part if you do not want to, but your response is important. In order to make sure that the survey results are as accurate as they can be, it is important that we receive as many responses as possible.

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No, you do not have to answer every question if you do not want to. However, we hope you will, as your answers will help give us the best possible picture of people's experiences. There are also some questions we may ask you to skip, depending on your answers.

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If you have been invited to take part in this survey please be assured that no individual information will be available for anyone at your General Practice surgery or health board to see.

Your individual responses to the survey are completely confidential. The information will be analysed anonymously.

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We are asking these question to ensure that the opinion of different groups of people are represented in the survey.

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Even if you have not been to your GP surgery your response is still important. It is important that we gain as complete a response as possible from all participants in order to produce accurate results. Also when we receive your returned form your response will be recorded and you will not receive any future reminders to take part in the survey.

If you have not attempted to see or speak to your GP in the last year please tick no to question 1 and question 4. Complete the questions on the back of the survey and return your completed questionnaire in the freepost envelope provided

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By 'access' to your GP , we mean how easy is it to see or speak to a doctor or nurse for medical advice at your GP Surgery.

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Please answer the questions about your experience of contacting the GP surgery for your child, if your child is registered at the same surgery which is named in the letter.

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Email any queries to:

GPAccess@Scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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