Proposed GP target won't help patients access care, doctors' leaders warn

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By Erin Dean

GP leaders have criticised a reported new government target to improve patients’ experience of making an appointment saying it will not “make it easier” to access care.

The Prime Minster is said to be considering a new measure for at least 80 per cent of patients to report being satisfied with their experience of contacting their GP practice by March 2027, according to reporting in the HSJ.

This is one of three main objectives set out by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for 10 Downing Street in 2026/27, the HSJ said.

When contacted by Doctors.net.uk, the DHSC wouldn’t confirm the report, stating that it doesn’t comment on leaks and the priorities for the NHS have been set out in the planning framework.

But the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) pushed back against the potential move, calling for more doctors to make it easier to access appointments – not new targets.