DOCTORS fear that the Government's new patient survey will raise expectations for a level of service they are unable to provide.

The outcome of the survey, which will canvas patients' opinions on appointment arrangements and opening times in January will affect funds individual practices receive. Every practice in the Chester area will be taking part in the controversial survey.

Clare Farr, practice manager at Northgate Medical Centre said: 'Why should we now have to jump through yet another hoop?

'The Government wants to be careful. Its all very well canvassing patients opinions and raising expectations. 'What are they going to do when the patients say they want to be seen in state-of-the-art buildings and drop-in centres open 24/7?

'They simply don't have the resources to provide them.'

Many surgeries already complete a questionnaire and Mrs Farr believes creating a new one is wasting money.

She said: 'The £12m could be better spent elsewhere, how many cancer patients, or hips, or expensive medication would that pay for?

'It all looks good on paper, but it is never the same at the coal face.

'It remains to be seen if this new questionnaire will be helpful to patients or doctors.'

A spokesperson for Cheshire and Ellesmere Port Primary Care Trust said: 'Flexible, convenient access to GP services is one of the top priorities for patients.

'Patients expect to be able to see a health care professional quickly and book an appointment in advance if they wish.

'The results will give us a real insight into what patients are experiencing.'

The British Medical Association has also criticised the survey. Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA's GPC, said:

'The questions ask patients if they are satisfied with arrangements for early morning, evening and weekend surgeries at a time when the government is not prepared to provide GP practices with the resources to open at these times, all of which are outside GPs' agreed contractual hours.

'This survey is in our view totally discredited.'

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