GP surgeries across south Essex are performing below the national average, according to the critics who know best - their patients.

Unhelpful receptionists and difficulty booking appointments appear to the main gripes, according to the GP Patient Survey, Scores have been released by Ipsos MORI. The survey measures patients’ experiences across a range of topics - including making appointments, waiting times, perceptions of care at appointments, practice opening hours and out-of-hours services.

A total of 80 per cent of patients rated their surgery as good in Basildon and Brentwood boroughs. While this may seem positive, it is five per cent below the national average.

Much of the criticism was aimed at receptionists, with 83 per cent of patients taking part in the survey saying they were not helpful - four per cent down on the national average.

According to the survey, 33 per cent of patients using GP surgeries run by Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group believe it is not easy to get through to book an appointment.

The Oakdin Surgery, in Laindon Road, Billericay, was the top scorer in the area - with 98 per cent of patients rating it as good.

Dr M Aslam’s Practice, in Rectory Road, Pitsea, came bottom of the rankings - with just 40 per cent of patients rating it as good.

Across Basildon and Brentwood, 94 per cent of patients said they had confidence and trust in their GP - down just one per cent on the national average.

Echo:

Dr Marimuthu Velmuruga, who moved his surgery from Westborough Road, Westcliff, into the nearby Valkyrie Surgery, admitted doctors are struggling to cope with increasing pressure.

He said: “The smaller GP surgeries have been closed and the patients have been moved to larger GP surgeries which do not get the support they need.

“There have been 11 practices closed recently.

“However no-one has been died because of poor GP care - the GPs are coping but they are up to their neck in it. I still love doing my work, but morale is very low.”

Southend Clinical Commissioning Group faired slightly better in the survey.

A total of 83 per cent of patients rated their GP surgery as good - two per cent down on the national average.

However, only 60 per cent of patients said it was easy to get through to their GP surgery - eight per cent down on the national average.

Patients were also critical receptionists, with 85 per cent of patients saying they were helpful.

GP surgeries in Castle Point and Rochford and faired the best, meeting the national average. A total of 85 per cent of patients appeared satisfied with their service, rating their surgery as good.

The survey revealed that 87 per cent of patients felt that the last time they wanted to speak to a GP or nurse from their surgery, they were able to. This is three per cent higher than the national average.

A total of 95 per cent of patients who got an appointment said it was convenient - three per cent above national average and three per cent higher than last year.

It also found that 95 per cent of patients had confidence and trust in the GP they last saw at their practice - and 99 per cent said they had confidence in the last nurse they saw.

Simon Evans, locality director for NHS England (East) said he was pleased that a high proportion were satisfied and work would be done to further strengthen primary care.

Echo:

NHS bosses are working with GP surgeries to solve problems with clogged up phone lines.

Ian Stidston, accountable officer for Southend and Castle Point Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are committed to finding out what isn’t working and how we can make things better.

“People tell us about problems with phone lines and delays in getting an appointment.

"This reflects national findings and we are working with our practices to identify better ways of working.”

He said there are “excellent” examples of practices working innovatively.