Accessing GP services - has anything changed?

Voices of local people lead to change in GP services

After over 1,000 local people shared their experiences of GP services in Dudley, we worked with local partners to create a Practice Charter. This Charter encourages GP practices to meet the accessibility and communication needs of local people. Whether people struggle to speak English, read and write, or are unable to use the internet, this charter supports patients' rights to care. 

All GP practices across the Dudley borough have now signed up to the Charter, which is displayed on GP websites for patients to discover their rights.

Your rights when using GP services

The Dudley GP Practice Charter (the ‘Charter’) summarises what you’re entitled to when you use GP services in Dudley borough.

It also covers what you can do if you feel that your rights have not been respected.

What is the GP Practice Charter?

The Charter explains what you can expect when using GP services in Dudley borough. It is based on a principle of mutual respect and also explains what's expected of you when using GP services in Dudley borough.

Everyone who uses and provides GP services has a right to be treated as an individual and should be treated with dignity and respect.

The Charter covers areas of patient care including:

• Making an appointment
• Signposting (assess and direct)
• Digital services
• Health inequalities
• Registration rights
• Working with other organisations
• Patient expectations

What has changed?

We want to know if accessing services at your GP practice has gotten easier or harder in the past year, and if you have used the GP Practice Charter to advocate for your rights.