A NEW survey has revealed the best and worst GP practices in Herefordshire, according to patients.

The England-wide survey GP Patient Survey asked patients about a range of performance areas at their surgeries including waiting times, ease of making appointment, quality of GPs and nurses, opening times, and overall experience.

Out of the 5,530 questionnaires sent out under the NHS Herefordshire CCG, a total of 2,952 were returned completed which represents a response rate of 53%.

The survey rated The Surgery in Kingstone as the top in the county with 100 per cent of respondents reporting a good overall experience, while King Street Surgery came bottom of the table with a rating of 74 per cent.

A total of 20 surgeries – St Katherines Surgery in Ledbury, Westfield and The Marches Surgery in Leominster, Sarum House, Colwall, Cradley, Greyfriars, Alton Street, The Mortimer Medical Practice in Leintwardine, Much Birch Surgery, Nunwell Surgery in Bromyard, Pendeen Surgery in Ross-on-Wye, Cantilupe Surgery, Golden Valley Practice, Ledbury Market Surgery, Quay House Medical Centre, Fownhope Medical Centre, Wargrave House and Weobley Surgery had satisfaction ratings above the national average of 85 per cent.

Those that fell just below the national average included Belmont Medical Centre with 81 per cent, Kington Medical Practice 82 per cent and Moorfield House Surgery 83 per cent.

However, collectively, 90 per cent of residents rated Herefordshire CCG's practices as either very good or fairly good, compared to the national average of 85 per cent.

A total of 79 per cent of residents said it was very easy or fairly easy to get through to someone at their surgery on the phone, with Moorfield House Surgery scoring the lowest in this category with 54 per cent.

Meanwhile, 87 per cent of people said they were successful in getting an appointment the last time they wanted one.

King Street Surgery came bottom in this regard, with 75 per cent of patients managing to get an appointment.

A total of 63 per cent overall said they did not have to wait too long to be seen at their surgery, although the percentage was just 31 per cent at Belmont Medical Centre.

In total, 97 per cent of patients said that they trusted their GP and 98 per cent had faith in their practice nurses.

The overall patient satisfaction ratings for Herefordshire's GP practices were:

1. The Surgery in Kingstone - 100 per cent

2. Weobley Surgery - 98 per cent

3. Wargrave House Surgery - 97 per cent

4. Fownhope Medical Centre - 96 per cent

= Quay House Medical Centre - 96 per cent

6. Ledbury Market Surgery - 95 per cent

= Golden Valley Practice - 95 per cent

8. Cantilupe Surgery - 94 per cent

9. Pendeen Surgery - 93 per cent

= Nunwell Surgery - 93 per cent

= Much Birch Surgery - 93 per cent

12. The Mortimer Medical Practice - 92 per cent

13. Alton Street Surgery - 91 per cent

14. Greyfriars Surgery - 90 per cent

15. Cradley Surgery - 89 per cent

= Colwall Surgery - 89 per cent

= Sarum House Surgery - 89 per cent

= The Marches Surgery - 89 per cent

= Westfield Surgery - 89 per cent

20. St.Katherine's Surgery - 87 per cent

21. Moorfield House Surgery - 83 per cent

22. Kington Medical Practice - 82 per cent

23. Belmont Medical Practice - 81 per cent

24. King Street Surgery - 74 per cent