One in five consumers not able to get a GP appointment when they need it, finds new Simplyhealth research.

Research was conducted by Simplyhealth, the UK’s leading health solutions service, to gain a better understanding of how long consumers are waiting for GP appointments. The research carried out in December 2021, revealed that just under half (47%) of UK consumers tried to book an appointment with an NHS GP in the previous 6 months[1].

 Amongst those trying to book an appointment, 40% considered the reason for their appointment to be urgent, yet almost half of ‘very urgent’ medical issues couldn’t get a same day appointment[2]. Whilst the urgency of the medical need had a significant bearing upon how long consumers had to wait for an appointment, 1 in 5 were not able to get an appointment at all, and a further 1 in 5 had to wait a week or more later to get an appointment. 

 The research also revealed that a quarter of over 55s who tried to book an appointment were unable to get one at all.  Telephone appointments still came out highest in the research, with 51% of consumers saying they consulted GPs this way. Less than half (40%) saw their GP face to face and only 6% had video appointments.

To get fast and easy access to a GP or other healthcare professional, Simplyhealth offers a range of affordable health plans starting at £7.50 a month which offer 24/7 video GP appointments and 24/7 mental health counselling services, as well as online physiotherapy assessments[3].  Virtual health services are included with all of Simplyhealth’s health plans.

Over the last year, Simplyhealth has seen an 114% increase in customers making appointments through its 24/7 video GP service[4] , with a 102% increase in people downloading the video GP app (SimplyConsult)[5]. At Simplyhealth, 99% of customers are offered an appointment to talk to a GP within 3 hours[6].

Simplyhealth has launched its new TV advertising portraying different individual health scenarios, from fun and charming to serious and emotive.  

Simplyhealth has three different advertisements running nationally for six weeks across Sky and Freeview TV channels and supported by digital advertising. The advertisements can be viewed at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flJCszB06KI  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgXT_FrFHK8  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZo7oWC6et0 

Sources 

[1] Maru Consumer Omnibus Survey. Questions were included within a consumer omnibus that was sent to a nationally representative sample of c.2,000 UK consumers. Data was collected between 3^rd – 6^th December 2021.

[2] Low base size, result is indicative only.

[3] Physio assessments are available: Mon – Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 10am-1pm, Sunday/Bank Holidays – Closed.

[4] 114% increase video GP appointments compared November 2020 to December 2021- Square Health Analytics.

[5] 102% increase in registrations/ downloading SimplyConsult – Nov 20-Nov21 Square Health Analytics.

[6] Source: Jan- Sept 2021 Square Health Analytical report.

ENDS