Frequently Asked Questions - Completing the questionnaire
Please note that Ipsos MORI cannot accept any more blue-coloured questionnaires which were mailed out in January 2012. This survey has now closed.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Answering to these questions is completely voluntary, so you don’t have to. But we hope you will take part, as this will give us the best possible picture of people’s experiences. There are also some questions we may ask you to skip, because of your previous answers. For example, you only need to answer question 9 if you ticked yes at question 8, but please follow the instructions in the questionnaire carefully.
Do I put a tick or cross in the box?
You can put either a tick or a cross in one box for the answer that comes closest to your own opinion or experience.
How do I complete the questionnaire?
Step 1 – Information for online completion
Step 2 – Information for paper completion - entering a response
Step 3 – Information for paper completion – changing a response
Step 4 – Information for paper completion – multiple pages
Step 5 – Information for paper completion – returning the survey
What happens if I have difficulties completing the questionnaire on paper?
Ipsos MORI provides a freephone telephone number for patients with difficulties completing the questionnaire. Please call 0808 238 5385 between 9am and 9pm weekdays, or Saturdays 10am to 5pm.
Patients who prefer not to complete the questionnaire on paper can complete the questionnaire online by clicking here. Please note however, that only one response per patient can be accepted.
Can I complete the survey in any other languages?
Yes, you can complete the survey in Urdu, Punjabi, Polish, Bengali, Arabic, French, Gujarati, Turkish, Somali, Portuguese, Mandarin, Czech and Slovak either online by clicking here, or by calling the following freephone telephone numbers:
Urdu - 0808 238 5379
Punjabi - 0808 238 5380
Polish - 0808 238 5381
Bengali - 0808 238 5382
Arabic - 0808 238 5383
French - 0808 238 5384
Gujarati - 0808 238 5386
Turkish - 0808 238 5387
Somali - 0808 238 5388
Portuguese - 0808 238 5389
Mandarin - 0808 238 5475
Czech - 0808 238 5477
Slovak - 0808 238 5476
Please note that only one response per patient can be accepted.
What is the BSL symbol on the front page of the questionnaire?
The BSL symbol on the front page of the questionnaire is the logo for British Sign Language.
British Sign Language (BSL) is the most common form of Sign Language in Britain. As a language BSL has its own grammatical structure and syntax, and it is not dependent or closely related to spoken English.
Further information about the GP Patient Survey and an online version of the survey is available in British Sign Language via the BSL User link – or by clicking here.
Why have you changed the ethnic group classification?
We are committed to supporting disaggregation of GP patient survey data by equality strands. This is currently possible by age, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and religion. This is a commitment within the NHS Constitution. Where possible the questions in the survey match those in the National Census, for the 2011 Census the classifications were changed and the survey was updated to reflect those changes.
I’ve made a mistake? What do I do?
We would still like you to send your completed questionnaire even if you have made a mistake. Please just completely fill in the box for the incorrect answer and then carefully tick the correct box.
I’ve lost my questionnaire; can you send me another copy?
We will be sending out a reminder questionnaire for people who have not returned theirs, so this should be with you in the next couple of weeks.
Can I give the questionnaire to my spouse/friend/someone else to fill in?
No, the questionnaire asks about the experiences of the person named on the letter. You can, however, ask for help filling in the questionnaire, but you must complete it about your own experiences.
Can I answer about appointments I make for other people?
Questions within the questionnaire are about appointments you have made for yourself and your experiences when visiting or talking to your GP. Please fill in the questionnaire just about your own personal experiences and not those of your children or anyone else.
Can I help someone fill in the questionnaire?
Yes, that’s fine. If a friend or a relative needs your help in filling in the questionnaire, you can offer help. But the answers should be about their experience only.
Can I ask for help from someone to fill the questionnaire in?
Yes, that’s fine. If you need any help in filling in the questionnaire, you can ask a friend or a relative to help. But the answers should be about your experience only.
Do I need to send the letter back?
No, you only need to send your completed questionnaire back in the postage paid envelope provided.
I changed my practice last week / last month / recently, should I still complete the questionnaire?
This survey is being sent to people who were registered with a GP surgery in the last six months. Please just answer the questions about the surgery you were registered with during that period (or most of that period).
I haven’t visited my GP in the last year but I’ve been sent a questionnaire. Should I complete it?
Yes if you are registered with a GP - even if you have not recently visited a GP your answers are still valuable to us.
I don’t see my GP (doctor), only the nurse at the practice. Can I still fill in the survey?
This survey has questions about booking appointments with a doctor and/or practice nurse. Please therefore only answer the questions in relation to your experience of booking appointments with a doctor and/or a practice nurse.
When do I need to send it back by?
Please note that Ipsos MORI cannot accept any more blue-coloured questionnaires which were mailed out in January 2011. This survey has now closed.
I have not received an envelope/questionnaire with my letter?
Our apologies if this has happened. We will shortly be sending a reminder letter along with a copy of the questionnaire so please complete the survey when it arrives and use the envelope enclosed to return it. Or, if you have a questionnaire and would like to send it to us before then, please put the questionnaire in an envelope marked only “FREEPOST GP PATIENT SURVEY”. No stamp is needed.
