Insight into the public's health and care views

What people told us:

GP services

"The receptionist was helpful, positive and calm."

"There is a telephone queue of over 30 people."

The phone service is beyond impossible. It’s never answered. The website is unfriendly. There are delays of days or weeks in responding to website requests (or no response).

"The GP surgery is only contactable online between office hours. They don't ring back online requests. This causes anxious waits for vital medication.”

”The staff at the vaccination centre are doing a fabulous job.”

Hospitals

”I had surgery and the care I received was absolutely amazing.”

”This is an amazing maternity unit staffed by a great team who for both of my children ensured a safe delivery where I felt listened to and supported.”

“The only thing I would say is that post-pandemic, there is more of a 'musical chairs' quality about getting assigned to a midwife and obstetrician - you seldom see the same person twice.  However, the individuals themselves represent the best of the NHS.”

“I visited the ‘urgent’ treatment centre today with my four-month-old to be left three hours. It’s an absolute shocking amount of time to leave a baby.”

Mental health services

"The staff were excellent. Highly professional and respectful."

"They spent time with patients, addressing their practical and emotional needs."

Dentistry

“When we moved house, it proved impossible to find an NHS dentist. I was told to ring in every month to see if they had availability, but it became obvious, they didn't. I had excruciating pain from an abscess so had to pay for root canal treatment which was over £400. Now, two weeks later, I must have root canal treatment in a different tooth. How can we afford these charges?”

”My teeth are so bad I feel unable to go out socially or for job interviews and have no money to go private.”