Care teams among best in the country

8:28am Monday 4th August 2008

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SIX out of the top ten performing NHS primary care trusts in England are in the North-East and North Yorkshire, according to patients.

A major survey of primary care services in England, carried out by the Healthcare Commission, found that patients were positive about many elements of the care they received from their GP.

The North-East and North Yorkshire did particularly well compared with PCTs in other parts of England. Every one finished in the top half of a league table made up of all 152 PCTs.

Cumbria finished top, Northumberland Care Trust second, North Tees PCT third, Sunderland Teaching PCT fourth, County Durham PCT fifth, Darlington PCT seventh, and North Yorkshire and York was eighth.

The lowest-rated North- Eastern PCT, according to patients, was Middlesbrough, which still finished 71st.

The fact that only two per cent of patients reported waiting for longer than 48 hours to see a GP made Darlington PCT number one in England in this category.

However, Newcastle PCT was one of the five worst performing PCTs in terms of the percentage of patients offered a choice of hospital for first appointment.

Between January and April this year, more than 69,000 people in England were asked about their experiences of GP practices and health centres and about access to dentists.

The survey covered topics such as access to appointments, waiting times and patients’ relationships with NHS staff. Despite a generally positive picture, access to GP services remains an issue and variations were observed around the country.

Ideally, patients should be able to see a GP within two working days or another primary care health professional, such as a practice nurse, within one working day.

Nationally, 13 per cent of respondents who had recently made an appointment reported waiting longer than the 48- hour target time because no earlier appointment was available with any doctor at their local practice.

Anna Walker, the Healthcare Commission’s chief executive, said the survey suggested many wanted more flexible opening hours at GP surgeries, the option of choosing the hospital where they wish to be treated and improved access to dental care.

■ People in the region are being asked to comment on a draft constitution which outlines the principles and values of the NHS for the future.

The first of its kind in the world, the NHS constitution follows discussions with staff, patients and the public over the last year.

It reaffirms the right to NHS services, free of charge without discrimination of any kind. For the first time, it will bring together the rights and responsibilities of staff and patients, to ensure the NHS operates fairly and effectively.

The Government will be obliged by law to renew the NHS constitution every ten years so any changes are the result of a full and transparent debate. There will be a new legal duty on all NHS organisations to take account of the constitution in decisions that are made about local healthcare and treatment.

Sir Peter Carr, chairman of North East Strategic Health Authority said: “The NHS belongs to everyone and I would therefore urge as many people as possible to participate in the consultation and share their views.”

Although patients will still be treated according to clinical need, there will be an onus on them to contribute to their own good health and take personal responsibility for how they use NHS services Consultation events are being planned and members of the public and NHS staff are invited to send their comments to nhsconstitution@dh .gsi.gov.uk.