OPINION is divided across the country on whether or not GP surgeries are offering enough face-to-face appointments.

If you've been struggling to get an appointment, you're not alone.

According to the 2021 GP Patient Survey, which takes results from January to March 2021, more than two in three patients (68.5 per cent) were offered a choice of appointments when they last tried to book one.

But only half of patients said they had an in-person appointment when they last tried to book one for themselves.

This is a decrease of 39.5 per cent when compared to the previous year.

A reader, who wished to remain anonymous, wrote to the Standard about his experience trying to get an appointment at one GP surgery in Maldon.

He said: "I explained I have found a lump and wish to get it checked out, to which I was told they are at capacity today and have no appointments available. 

"Even after I explained it could be cancerous and would be better to be caught early, I was told sorry there is nothing available and to call in the morning to try again."

Using the GP Patient Survey data, and its comparison website, we've uncovered the best and worst GP surgeries when it comes to booking an appointment in the Maldon and Burnham area.

Here is what we found, in no particular order:

Blackwater Medical Centre

Respondents who find it easy to get through to the practice on the phone: 9 per cent.

Patients who are satisfied with the general practice appointment times available: 43 per cent.

Patients who get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they'd like to: 21 per cent.

Patients who were offered a choice of appointment when they last called: 43 per cent.

Respondents who have a ‘good’ experience of making an appointment: 31 per cent.

Longfield Medical Centre

Respondents who find it easy to get through to the practice on the phone: 40 per cent.

Patients who are satisfied with the general practice appointment times available: 62 per cent.

Patients who get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they'd like to: 35 per cent.

Patients who were offered a choice of appointment when they last called: 60 per cent.

Respondents who have a ‘good’ experience of making an appointment: 63 per cent.

The Tollesbury Practice

Respondents who find it easy to get through to the practice on the phone: 98 per cent.

Patients who are satisfied with the general practice appointment times available: 77 per cent.

Patients who get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they'd like to: 66 per cent.

Patients who were offered a choice of appointment when they last called: 77 per cent.

Respondents who have a ‘good’ experience of making an appointment: 81 per cent.

Burnham Surgery

Respondents who find it easy to get through to the practice on the phone: 68 per cent.

Patients who are satisfied with the general practice appointment times available: 58 per cent.

Patients who get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they'd like to: 54 per cent.

Patients who were offered a choice of appointment when they last called: 63 per cent.

Respondents who have a ‘good’ experience of making an appointment: 69 per cent.

William Fisher Medical Centre

Respondents who find it easy to get through to the practice on the phone: 95 per cent.

Patients who are satisfied with the general practice appointment times available: 81 per cent.

Patients who get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they'd like to: 60 per cent.

Patients who were offered a choice of appointment when they last called: 71 per cent.

Respondents who have a ‘good’ experience of making an appointment: 88 per cent.

The Dengie Medical Partnership

Respondents who find it easy to get through to the practice on the phone: 99 per cent.

Patients who are satisfied with the general practice appointment times available: 88 per cent.

Patients who get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they'd like to: 70 per cent.

Patients who were offered a choice of appointment when they last called: 88 per cent.

Respondents who have a ‘good’ experience of making an appointment: 92 per cent.