Out-of-hours GP care in Harrow sixth worst in England (From This Is Local London)

Out-of-hours GP care in Harrow sixth worst in England

7:04pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

OUT-of-hours health care in Harrow has been rated the sixth worst in the country in a patient survey.

Almost a fifth of patients who use the GP services rated it “poor” or “very poor” according to figures obtained by the Patients Association.

It has led to claims there is still a “postcode lottery” when it comes to health care services.

A total of 19 per cent of respondents in the borough said they receive poor quality out of hours doctor's services, compared to just seven per cent in some areas of the country.

The numbers come from a government survey of 1.1 million people in England and highlight a wide variation in patient satisfaction levels.

Patients Association director, Katherine Murphy, said: “There is huge variation with more than double the number of patients rating the service as poor or very poor at the bottom of the table compared to the top.

“This is completely unacceptable. The postcode lottery of care has to stop.”

Neighbouring borough Barnet was rated thirteenth worst, with 18 per cent rating out of hour services as “poor” or “very poor”.

Government ministers have given trusts until the end of the year to follow strict new guidelines on out-of-hours care.

The information gathered by the Patients Association also found spending on the services per head varied nationally from £1.50 to the highest at more than £20.00.

Ms Murphy said: “It is vital the Department of Health press on with reform in this area so we can have a much better idea of what service is being provided for what money.

“Local scrutiny is only effective if you know how well your local services are performing.”