RYEDALE GP practices are performing better than the national average on every indicator, according to a survey.

The GP Patient Survey was completed by 6,367 people in the NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area, and in almost every indicator, practices, as a whole, performed above the national average.

Surgeries in Ryedale covered by the survey include Derwent Practice in Norton, Pickering, Sherburn and Rillington, along with Terrington.

The survey says 100 per cent of patients found it easy to get through on the phone to Terrington practice, 96 per cent at Sherburn and Rillington, 73 per cent at Pickering and 61 per cent at Derwent surgery, compared to the national average of 65 per cent.

At Terrington practice, 97 per cent of patients found receptionists helpful, 94 per cent at Sherburn and Rillington, 89 per cent at Pickering and 87 per cent at Derwent.

The percentage of patients who usually get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they would like to was 59 per cent at Sherburn and Rillington, 52 per cent at Pickering and 84 per cent at Derwent, compared to the national average of 45per cent. The Terrington practice was unable to offer sufficient data.

Ninety-four per cent of patients at Terrington described experience of making an appointment as good, 81per cent of patients at both Sherburn and Rillington and Derwent practices and 71per cent at Pickering.

At Pickering and Derwent practices, 93 per cent of patients felt their needs were met during their last GP appointment, 94 per cent at Sherburn and Rillington and 100 per cent at Terrington.

Ninety-eight per cent of patients described their overall experience of Terrington practice as good, 88 per cent at Sherburn and Rillington, 82 per cent at Pickering and 79 per cent at Derwent practice, compared to the national average of 82 per cent.

Patients across North Yorkshire also expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the services available to them when their GP practice was closed – the survey data shows this was also above average – as well as support from other local services and organisations to help people manage a condition.

NHS North Yorkshire CCG Clinical chairperson, Dr Charles Parker, said: “It’s pleasing to see that patients in North Yorkshire rate their GP practice so highly and validates the work that goes on every day, often behind the scenes, to make the patient experience as positive as it can be. Our goal should always be to strive for better and we will continue to work in partnership with our practices to deliver the highest standard of care for our patients.”