Oldham GP practices rated over face-to-face appointments

Many patients across Oldham have said they face an uphill battle when it comes to booking a face-to-face GP appointment, with many being offered a telephone or online appointment as an alternative.

The Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board said this is due to a combination of growing demand, decreasing GP numbers and a wider move towards digitalising services for convenience.

See the full list below 

The latest NHS Digital figures reveal 69 per cent of GP appointments were held in-person in November 2022 nationwide, a slight dip from the figure in October (71.3 per cent) which was the highest proportion since the start of the pandemic.

Prior to Covid-19 restrictions and lockdown measures, an average 80 per cent of consultations were carried out face-to-face.

However, while Oldham GP surgeries face the same difficulties, the latest data shows some practices fall significantly below the national average when it comes to offering in-person consultations while others in the borough excel.

Out of all 35 GP practices in Oldham recorded by NHS Digital in November 2022, MD Family Practice (formerly the Danson Family Practice) in the Werneth Primary Care Centre on Featherstall Road has been ranked the worst with just 39 per cent of 1,603 appointments over the month delivered in-person.

The surgery offered hundreds more telephone appointments (969) compared to face-to-face appointments (632), though none were offered via video link or online.

Saddleworth Medical Practice also struggled to deliver the provision with just 2,887 appointments out of 6,097 (47 per cent) being offered in-person.

The Uppermill surgery further conducted 173 home visits, 3,033 telephone appointments and four online.

READ MORE: The worst 10 GP surgeries in Oldham to book a face-to-face appointment

At the other end of the scale, Jarvis Medical Practice ranked the best in the borough with 99 per cent of all appointments in November last year being offered in person.

Of 2,371 appointments, 2,351 were face-to-face while just 20 were taken over the phone.

The Glodwick surgery conducted no home visits or online/video appointments.

Coming in at a close second was Greenbank Medical Practice which saw 4,688 appointments out of 4,773 delivered in-person, amounting to a 98 per cent rate.

The Nugget Street surgery delivered just 85 appointments over the phone and conducted no home visits or any online/video appointments.

READ MORE: The best 10 GP surgeries in Oldham to book a face-to-face appointment

Of the 15 GP surgeries in Oldham that did not make it into the 10 worst and 10 best lists for a face-to-face appointment were:

1. Alexandra Group Medical Practice, Glodwick Primary Care Centre (64 per cent)
2. Oldham Medical Services, Ashton Road (65 per cent)
3. The Royton & Crompton Family Practice, Royton Health & Wellbeing Centre, Park Street (66 per cent)
4.  Medlock Medical Practice, Failsworth District Centre, Ashton Road West (67 per cent)
5.  Werneth Medical Practice, Werneth Primary Care Centre, Alfred Street (68 per cent)
6.  Leesbrook Surgery, Mellor Street (70 per cent)
7.  Moorside Medical Practice, Ripponden Road (74 per cent)
8.  Kapur Family Care, Werneth Primary Care Centre, Featherstall Road (76 per cent)
9.  Royton Medical Centre, Chapel Street (77 per cent)
10.  Village Medical Practice, High Street, Shaw (78 per cent)
11. Block Lane Surgery, Block Lane (79 per cent)
12.  St Mary's Medical Centre, Rock Street (79 per cent)
13.  Hill Top Surgery, Fitton Hill Neighbourhood Centre, Fircroft Road (79 per cent)
14.  The Chowdhury Practice, Oldham Integrated Care Centre, New Radcliffe Street (80 per cent)
15.  Hollinwood Medical Practice, Clive Street (80 per cent)

Here's the full list, from best to worst, of how Oldham GP practices fared when it came to booking face-to-face appointments.

Dr Manisha Kumar, chief medical officer, NHS Greater Manchester said appointments are up overall across the region with GPs carrying out more appointments than ever before.

The doctor said: "The rise in appointments is testament to hardworking and dedicated staff, who are experiencing both significant and growing demand and declining GP numbers.

“The pandemic sped up changes already underway to offer more virtual access to general practice and these appointments, usually chosen for convenience, are often welcomed by residents.

"If a patient needs a face-to-face appointment, they are normally seen on the same day or a day of their choice."

However, Dr Kumar said the NHS is "not complacent" and does recognise that people struggle to book an appointment.

"We are absolutely committed to improving people’s access to general practice and supporting those who cannot use online services."