Three Healthwatch have joined forces after hearing locally, across different communities in Wokingham Borough, Reading and West Berkshire, that people registered with local GPs are not aware of the new ways GP practices are working. Therefore their expectations do not always match what they experience when contacting their GP practice or when seeking help.
The Healthwatch project is exploring this to further understand what the public does know, where there are information gaps, and how communication can improve to address these.
With the anonymous information that will be gathered, the aim is to be able to support GP surgeries to improve their communication with the public, thereby reducing the number of complaints received about access to GP-led services.
Healtwatch wants to also increase public awareness of other options available for getting help and self-help, including, for example, the NHS App, which will help reduce phone waiting times.
As part of this project, Healthwatch Wokingham is asking local residents from all communities, to join focus groups across the borough to discuss their experiences and views on accessing GP services.
Everyone is welcome to share their views at any of these focus groups:
Tuesday 5th Dec: 2.30pm-6.30pm
Arborfield Hall, Eversley Road, Arborfield Cross, RG2 9PQ.
Come and join the Healthwatch discussion about your GP surgery.