Newly released NHS data shows how many patients had to wait more than four weeks for an appointment at their local practice in October, revealing the strain many surgeries are under.
Across England, nearly half of appointments in October (49%) took place on the day they were booked, analysis of the NHS Digital data found.
However, 640,000 appointments – 3% of the total – took place more than 28 days later. At one north Derbyshire surgery, 30.8% exceeded the 28 day wait time – but this did not include appointments which are usually booked in advance, such as medication reviews.
There are several factors that influence the length of time a patient has to wait for an appointment, including availability at the practice, patient availability and the urgency of the issue.
The Royal College of GPs said the figures showed “how hard GPs and their teams are working to deliver increasingly complex care to growing number of patients, against a backdrop of severe workforce shortages”.
These are 11 GP surgeries across Chesterfield and north Derbyshire with the worst waiting times for appointments.
However, 640,000 appointments – 3% of the total – took place more than 28 days later. At one north Derbyshire surgery, 30.8% exceeded the 28 day wait time – but this did not include appointments which are usually booked in advance, such as medication reviews.
![Of the 4,374 appointments reviewed at this GP practice last month, 14.1% took place 28 days or more after they were booked.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI3YjliNjU5LThlMTQtNDZhYi1iNWYzLWE2ZjllNTMyZDdlNDo3Yzk1OTVmZS1mNmUzLTRjMWItYjFkMC03MWU0NTM1MWVlZjE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Barlborough Medical Practice, Barlborough
Of the 4,374 appointments reviewed at this GP practice last month, 14.1% took place 28 days or more after they were booked. Photo: Google
![Of the 1,647 appointments reviewed at this surgery in October, 8.8% took place 28 days or more after they were first made.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNiZmYzZmU4LWM5MmUtNGYyYi1iYmM4LTI3MDI4NjM1Y2RkMTo4OGE3ODYxOS00ZDk4LTRjYmMtOTE1My1iYjA3NmUzNGQ2Nzg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Friendly Family Surgery, Bolsover
Of the 1,647 appointments reviewed at this surgery in October, 8.8% took place 28 days or more after they were first made. Photo: Google
![Of the 3,354 appointments reviewed throughout October, 6.1% took place 28 days or more after they were booked.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjlkZDNmNDkxLTU5MjctNDZhZi1iNGNjLTE4YWYwNDEyMGYxYjo2NDQ4ZWU2MS1jM2UzLTQwZTMtOTRkMi0zNGY2YmFkMTdkM2Y=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Crags Health Care, Creswell
Of the 3,354 appointments reviewed throughout October, 6.1% took place 28 days or more after they were booked. Photo: Google
![Of the 3,174 appointments assessed at this surgery last month, 30.8% took place 28 days or more after they were booked.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjhlODVmYTgyLTE3YmUtNGU2OS05ZDVjLTBiZjM3OGQ0OThiZjo2ZDU1YjA4MC1iMzAyLTQ4NDktYTc3Ny1kZmRiZTRhZmZjZmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Wingerworth Medical Centre, Wingerworth
Of the 3,174 appointments assessed at this surgery last month, 30.8% took place 28 days or more after they were booked. Photo: Google