PATIENTS across Suffolk have given the thumbs-ups to GP services in the county today.

PATIENTS across Suffolk have given the thumbs-ups to GP services in the county today.

A survey of patient satisfaction found 91per cent of people were pleased with how easy it was to get through to their doctor's surgery on the phone in Suffolk, compared with 87pc nationally.

The GP patient survey 2008 also showed that 90pc were able to get an appointment within 48 hours when they needed one, more than the 86pc national average.

When in the doctor's surgery, 95pc of patients said they were treated with respect and dignity and 86pc said the doctor had listened carefully to what they had to say. This compares nationally with 93pc and 83pc respectively.

And of the patients questioned, 75pc said their doctor's practice was very clean and 22pc said it was fairly clean.

Andrew Hassan, medical director of Suffolk Primary Care Trust said: “I am proud to say that these results show the vast majority of patients are happy with the treatment they are receiving when they visit their doctor.

“But we will not be complacent as there are still some areas for improvement. We will be looking at actions we can take over the coming months to benefit patients still further.

“These include additional training and making sure patients are offered a choice of hospital when they are referred on for treatment.”

Are you happy with your GP practice? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.