Seeing the same GP really is good for your health

SEEING the same GP regularly could boost patients' health and slashes doctors' workloads, a study shows.

- Hanna Geissler

Patients with a better long-term GP relationship went to the doctor less often. Their average interval between visits was 18% longer than those who saw different doctors.

Older people, those with chronic illnesses, and patients with mental health conditions benefited especially.

The findings of England's GP Patient Survey, one of the largest studies of its kind, come as the number who see the same GP known as continuity of care is thought to be falling.

It suggests that between 2018 and 2023, the proportion who always or almost always saw their preferred doctor dropped from 26% to 16%.

The number who said never or almost never rose from 10% to 19%.