What is your GP surgery building like?
Indeed, have you ever even thought about it? Chances are, the answer’s no - given that visiting the doctor is, for most of us, an experience we want to get through as quickly as possible. Getting that cough that’s hung around for ages checked; taking the plunge for advice on those anxiety attacks; suffering the pre-school boosters with your child; heading in for a medication review, diabetes clinic or blood test. The purpose of our visits to the doctor, community nurse or pharmacist means we perhaps don’t always pay much attention to our surroundings.
That’s why it can be difficult to find out what patients think about the buildings in which they see their GP – and to detach how they feel about premises, from how they feel about the care they receive. Maybe that’s a good thing: evidence suggests that more pleasant environments help patients to feel better more quickly; where it can play a part, are we thinking about building design as another form of therapy?
It’s estimated that around 40% of GP surgery buildings are unfit for purpose – often, they’re former residential buildings with doctors having to work from converted terraced houses and bungalows, although it’s not an issue you’ll hear much of in the media. But things may be changing. A recent survey by ComRes, asked more than 2,000 Brits to choose their priorities for NHS funding in the next parliament.
Investing in the workforce came out top, but upgrading primary and community care facilities came second – beating A and E waiting times and better access to drugs and treatment.
With only 16% of respondents choosing that option, we can’t draw too many conclusions – but isn’t it interesting that improvements to buildings were a higher priority for people than new medicines, or how long they might wait in a hospital corridor?
Despite the turmoil of the election result, one thing is certain: we mustn’t allow politicians to forget their acknowledgement of the problems for NHS premises during the campaign, or the commitments they made in their manifestos to address them. Because patients are finally watching.
Claire Rick is our Head of Public Affairs
