Professor Helen Atherton, expert in primary care at Warwick Medical School, comments on public satisfaction with GP services, which has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1983.

“It is disappointing that public satisfaction with GP services is at an all-time low, especially given that the main reasons for dissatisfaction in the survey mirror completely what are known to be key challenges currently facing general practice. Reductions in funding, a high number of GPs leaving the profession and fewer doctors training to be GPs has for some time now been putting pressure on a service which is already under strain. However, it is positive that patients are happy with the care delivered by their GPs, and shows that general practice as a service is valued by patients and remains an important part of NHS services”.