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<p>The average waiting time for a general practitioner (GP) appointment is not collected
or held centrally. In the 2017 GP patient survey 70.8% of respondents (who could remember
whether or not they were able to get an appointment, and when they wanted the appointment)
stated they saw or spoke to someone at a time they wanted to or sooner. NHS England
is working with NHS Digital to consider ways of improving the availability and quality
of GP data, including waiting times data.</p><p> </p><p>The Department currently has
no plans to introduce a maximum waiting time. However, efforts are being made to ensure
everyone has easier and more convenient access to GP services, including appointments
at evenings and weekends. The latest National Health Service planning guidance, published
by NHS England in February 2018, confirmed that more than half the country is now
benefitting from improved access, including access to pre-bookable and same day appointments
on weekday evenings and at weekends, and these will be available across the whole
country by October this year.</p>
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