RESULTS of a nationwide patient survey have revealed the best and worst rated GP practices in St Helens.

To assess the performance of GP practices across the country, millions of questionnaires were sent out to patients between January and March, with 699,790 completing the survey.

The latest edition of the survey asked patients a range of questions such as the experience of making an appointment, the ease of getting through on the phone, how often their preferred GP is seen, and their confidence in their healthcare professional.

With dozens of health-related questions, the biggest indicator of patient satisfaction is how people rated their overall experience of their GP practice, from 'Very good' to 'Very poor'.

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Best and worst performers

Across St Helens, the survey showed that Kenneth MacRae Medical Centre in Rainford received the highest number of patients who had an overall positive experience with their GP practice, with 97.8 per cent.

Kenneth MacRae came out on top due to its high ratings in the confidence of healthcare professionals, the ease of getting through on the phone, and the practice's helpful receptionists.

Garswood Surgery and and Rainford Health Centre received the second and third highest ratings in terms of overall satisfaction.

On the other end of the scale, Billinge Medical Practice, which was put in special measures in December, received the lowest number of patients who had an overall positive experience, at 46.8%.

70 percent of patients stated that their healthcare professional treated them with care and concern at the Recreation Drive practice, but only 39 percent said they were offered a choice to see a healthcare professional in person.

Just 20 percent of Billinge Medical Practice patients recorded that it was easy to get through on the phone, which was a common complaint of patients at other practices.

Overall positive experience of GP practices in St Helens:

  • Atlas Medical Practice - 57.7%
  • Berrymead Family Medical Centre - 74%
  • Bethany Medical Centre - 79.9%
  • Billinge Medical Practice - 46.8%
  • Bowery Medical Centre - 66.5%
  • Central Surgery - 71.5%
  • Crossroads Surgery - 90.3%
  • Dr Rahil's Surgery - 74.3%
  • Eccleston Medical Centre - 81.6%
  • Four Acre Health Centre - 55.4%
  • Garswood Surgery - 95.4%
  • Hall Street Medical Centre - 81.5%
  • Haydock Medical Centre - 69.3%
  • Kenneth MacRae Medical Centre - 97.8%
  • Lingholme Health Centre - 85.6%
  • Longton Medical Centre - 82%
  • Marshalls Cross Medical Centre - 58.8%
  • Mill Street Medical Centre - 72.2%
  • Newholme Surgery - 83.4%
  • Newton Community Hospital Practice - 79.4%
  • Newton Medical Centre - 58.1%
  • Ormskirk House Surgery - 77.9%
  • Parkfield Surgery - 90.3%
  • Patterdale Lodge - 76.1%
  • Phoenix Medical Practice - 72.5%
  • Rainbow Medical Centre - 73.8%
  • Rainford Health Centre - 95%
  • Rainhill Village Surgery - 92.2%
  • Spinney Medical Centre - 71.9%
  • Vista Road surgery - 60.9%
  • Windermere Medical Centre - 78.4%