“Inadequate” GP visit times for UK patients

The average GP visit time for British patients remains well below other first-world countries, despite the average appointment time increasing.

If current trends continue until 2086, UK patients would have 15-minute long appointments — still 7.5 minutes less than Sweden currently.

The data comes from a study published in BMJ Open, with new analysis by Cambridge University confirming that patients in 28 countries had longer consultations than British patients.

The average appointment time in the UK is 9.22 minutes, but compared to other wealthy countries, this figure is shadowed.

Belgium, Portugal and Iceland benefit from 15 minutes; France 16 minutes; and the United States 21 minutes. Sweden tops the list — profiting from a 22.5 minute appointment time.

Dr Richard Vautrey, chairman of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, said 10-minute consultations were “inadequate”.

“It’s important that those individuals who need more time with their GP can get it and this relies on practices having the necessary resources and staff to deliver personalised care for each patient.

“Investing in general practice in this way will pay dividends for the wider NHS and also relieve some of the current pressures that many GP practices are having to cope with.”