Patient safety fears as new research reveals fifth of GP appointments five minutes or less

Patients who feel fortunate to get a doctor's appointment then find they are in and out of the GP surgery in less than five minutes.

A fifth of the consultations in England last year were done within that time.

Dennis Reed, of the Silver Voices campaign group for over-60s, said: "It is hard enough to get a face-to-face appointment with a GP these days, without being shown the door before you have had a chance to take your coat off.

"The public wants the family doctor back, who knows your family history and has the time to chat about your general health and wellbeing.

"A revolving door policy, with the patient exiting after a couple of minutes clutching a prescription, is not the way to run a primary care service."

Research from the House of Commons Library, commissioned by the Lib Dems, found 22% of GP appointments between January to October 2023 lasted five minutes or less.

Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse said: "Seeing a GP is the most vital contact for people to address their health concerns, seek help and start treatment.

"Not having quick and easy access to a GP and not having sufficient time for patients during an appointment leads to huge problems later on, let alone the anxiety and additional pain people suffer because of delays."

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Source: The Express, 31 December 2023