Longest waiting times experienced in Northern Ireland where a quarter of UK adults have to wait a week or more for the next available appointment
New YouGov research for healthcare provider HealthExpress finds that waiting times at GP surgeries would prevent over a third (34%) of UK adults from seeing a GP.
The research, which looked to track the experiences and attitudes people had towards their own health and the NHS, also found that a third (33%) who have visited their GP in the last year had to wait on average 1-3 days for the next available appointment, with 14% stating that they had to wait more than a week for the next available appointment to see their GP.
The worst waiting times are in Northern Ireland, where a quarter (25%) of adults who have visited their GP in the last year say that they had to wait more than a week for the next available appointment to see their GP, with the adults in the South East of England close behind at 17%.
In comparison, the North East, Scotland and Yorkshire and Humber regions have the best waiting times with only 8% of adults in these areas having to wait a week to book the next available appointment with their GP.
Dr Bram Brons, medical director at HealthExpress, comments: “With our increasing hectic lives we are looking to have access to our GP immediately and our survey shows that in many regions, this expectation is not being met.
“Of those surveyed, many said that in general they were happy with the treatment and service provided by the NHS over the last five years, however, it is waiting times that has stopped them seeing their GP, when they have been keen to consult medical advice. This is potentially a worrying trend as many people may be delaying treatment for a condition just because they are unable to gain a quick appointment.”
