Patients in Northern Ireland are being surveyed for their views on the quality of service they receive from their GPs.
The GP Patient Experience Survey – Your Doctor, Your Experience, Your Say – will also provide greater public accountability and ensure that services better meet the needs of patients.
The questionnaire will be issued to 241,000 people picked at random during the first quarter of the New Year.
Taking part will be voluntary, and answers to questions regarding experiences of booking appointments, treatment and satisfaction with opening hours will remain confidential.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that for most patients, the first point of contact with health and social care is when they go to see their local GP, and access to services is a high priority.
He said: “It is vitally important that the services we provide meet their needs and expectations. The survey will give us feedback on how GP services are performing and, crucially, help us plan to meet future healthcare needs.
“GP practices are at the forefront of delivering frontline care. They develop partnerships with patients, enabling them to remain healthy and, in particular, helping those who suffer from long-term illness to manage their condition.”
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