1958 patients told us about their experience with GP Practices: survey results and ICB response
What is the Healthwatch GP Access survey
Healthwatch across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Isle of Wight have conducted GP Access surveys in April 2026. These surveys aim to explore whether people's experiences of contacting and using GP services have improved since October 2025 (Changes to the GP contract came into effect in October 2025).
Across the 4 Healthwatch areas, the survey received 1,958 responses. Healthwatch Portsmouth has received 504 responses from Portsmouth postcodes PO1 to PO6.
So many of you took the time to tell us about your own experience with GP practices, and together, your voices give us a powerful evidence base for the whole region.
Thank you so much to all of you who took our surveys. And in return, we have written the reports below for you. Enjoy reading!
Read the survey reports
Read Healthwatch Portsmouth's report on experience of using GP practices in Portsmouth here:
Read the 4 Healthwatch high-level findings report on GP access survey here:
Some key findings from Healthwatch Portsmouth's GP Access survey report
Most respondents (50.6%) did not report improved access.
Telephone (69.4%) remains the preferred method of contact.
Unawareness of the Patient Charter (75%) is very high.
Communication is mixed, with a good proportion receiving information same day.
Many respondents (47.8%) were not offered different care options.
Where respondents were redirected to other professionals, the reason was often not explained (53.8%).
Digital exclusion remains a clear accessibility issue.
Overall experience of using GP Practices: Similar proportions of respondents reported satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
ICB's statement in response to Healthwatch Portsmouth's GP Access Survey report 2026
''We welcome this report and would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their experiences. Listening to patients and communities is essential to continue improving primary care services and ensure meet the needs of the people they serve. The report provides valuable insight into both what is working well and where people continue to experience challenges accessing support from their GP practice.
General practice remains the front door to the NHS for most people and continues to manage growing demand while supporting patients with a wide range of health needs. Across Portsmouth, practices, Primary Care Networks and partners have worked hard to improve access, expand multidisciplinary teams, increase the range of professionals available to patients and develop new ways of delivering care, while recognising that access and experience are not yet consistent for everyone.
The themes highlighted in this report, including timely access, communication, continuity, digital inclusion and understanding the different roles within general practice, align closely with our priorities for primary care. They also reflect the direction of national primary care policy. We are committed to working alongside practices, Primary Care Networks, Healthwatch and local communities to translate national developments into improvements in patient experience, reduce inequalities and ensure services continue to evolve around the needs of patients.
We are grateful to Healthwatch Portsmouth for undertaking this work and for presenting the findings in a constructive way. The insights and recommendations will help shape ongoing improvements and support our shared ambition to deliver high-quality, accessible and person-centred primary care for the people of Portsmouth.''
---- NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, October 2026
