PATIENTS in a north Durham community have endorsed their primary care services and the quality of care by doctors and dentists, according to a survey by the Healthcare Commission.

Most patients in Derwentside have confidence and trust in the person caring for them, and the vast majority report that they are always treated with dignity and respect.

The survey of almost 85,000 people sought patients' views of services provided by general practices, local health centres and dental surgeries and was the biggest single test of the opinion of patients about primary care.

It comes as the Government engages in a major consultation with the public about care outside hospitals.

Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, said: "This survey of patients gives us an invaluable insight into what patients think about how well their local trust is meeting their needs.

"We recommend that patients' views should be taken into consideration by trusts as part of their efforts to improve services."

Key findings of the survey at Derwentside Primary Care Trust were that 82 per cent of patients said they had confidence and trust in the doctor they saw, while 95 per cent of people said the doctor they saw always treated them with dignity and respect

Of those prescribed new medication in the past year, 79 per cent said that they were given enough information about the purpose of their medication. But 20 per cent reported not being given any information about potential side-effects

The survey found 73 per cent of patients reported being seen by a GP as soon as they thought was necessary, compared to 59 per cent last year.