More than two million people are being asked by the NHS to share their experiences of using services at the GP practice they are registered with.

The survey responses provide detailed information about the range of ways people interact with primary care staff and how good that experience is.

It plays a key role in helping the NHS to understand what’s working and what needs to be improved.

David Levy, Medical Director for NHS England Midlands and East, said today: “The NHS’s GP Patient Survey asks not just about the care provided by doctors, but also about seeing other healthcare professionals such as on-site pharmacists, mental health specialists and practice nurses.

“What people tell us helps us understand the impact of recent developments in primary care, such as extended opening hours, the recruitment of more primary care staff,  and new ways of working, which were carried out in response to what patients said in previous years’ surveys.

“Information is handled securely and no-one is identified when the findings are published.”

Over two million people from over 7000 practices across England are randomly chosen to take part in the survey.  They will receive a letter over the next few weeks, along with a questionnaire.

The survey can be completed by post or online until the end of March and there is a range of options to make it more inclusive for people who need support to help them take part.

Patients who are not invited to take part in this year’s survey can still provide useful feedback to their GP practice teams by filling in a Friends and Family Test (FFT) form at their practice any time.

It is open to everyone, any time and every practice is involved.  More than 1.2 million pieces of feedback on NHS-funded services are given this way every month and they help to continuously improve and take the pulse of healthcare across England, with nine in 10 patients who give feedback rating their experience positively.