What practices can do now

Preparing for 2026 GP Patient Survey results

Each year, the GP Patient Survey (GPPS), run by Ipsos on behalf of NHS England, provides one of the most widely used measures of patient experience in primary care. It gathers feedback from hundreds of thousands of patients on access, communication, continuity and overall experience.

For practices, publication brings both opportunities and challenges. Although the data is retrospective, there are practical steps that can be taken now to prepare, respond effectively and use the findings meaningfully.

Understanding what the survey does and does not measure

Before preparing, it is important to be clear what GPPS represents:

• Patient experience over a defined period, not real-time performance
• A sample of registered patients, not the full list
• Weighted data to reflect the wider population
• A focus on perception rather than clinical outcomes

Full methodology is published annually by NHS England and Ipsos and should inform interpretation.

Results should be seen as indicative, not definitive, and used alongside other sources such as Friends and Family Test feedback, complaints and local engagement.

Anticipating key areas of focus

Recent GPPS results have consistently highlighted:

• Access to appointments, including phone access
• Satisfaction with appointment availability
• Continuity of care, particularly seeing a preferred GP
• Communication with clinicians and staff

These are likely to remain central in 2026. Practices should review current performance in these areas now using internal data, rather than reacting after publication.

Reviewing your current patient experience data

A useful first step is to bring together existing feedback sources, including:

• Friends and Family Test trends
• Complaints and compliments
• Local surveys or Patient Participation Group input
• Relevant online reviews

Identifying consistent themes can indicate whether GPPS results are likely to align with internal insights. Where concerns are already evident, early action is preferable to waiting for publication.

Preparing your internal response plan

Practices are often expected to review GPPS results quickly, particularly within PCNs or at board level. A simple framework can help:

1. Assign responsibility – identify who will analyse and present results
2. Agree how results will be shared – e.g. practice meetings, PCN discussions, commissioner reporting
3. Plan for patient communication – anticipate queries as results become publicly available
4. Link to existing improvement work – align with current QI or access initiatives where possible

Focusing on what can be influenced

A common pitfall is trying to address everything at once. With limited capacity, practices should prioritise achievable changes, such as:

• Improving telephone navigation or messaging
• Reviewing appointment booking processes
• Strengthening staff communication skills
• Managing patient expectations through website and messaging

Some factors, including demand and workforce constraints, are largely outside practice control and should be recognised when interpreting results.

Engaging the wider team

GPPS results should involve the whole practice team, not just partners or management. Consider:

• Sharing headline results with all staff
• Encouraging discussion on what feels accurate or surprising
• Inviting ideas for small, practical improvements

Frontline staff, particularly reception and care navigation teams, often have valuable insight into patient experience.

Using results constructively, not defensively

Results can feel pressurising, especially if scores fall below local or national averages. A constructive approach includes:

• Focusing on trends rather than single metrics
• Comparing year-on-year performance
• Considering local context, including population and demand

Benchmarking data published by NHS England can support more balanced interpretation.

Final thoughts

The GP Patient Survey remains a significant measure of patient experience in general practice. While practices cannot influence the data once collected, they can control how they prepare and respond.

By reviewing current feedback, planning ahead and focusing on realistic improvements, practices can use the 2026 results as a tool for development rather than a reactive exercise.

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