NHS Digital has released data that shows over 2.2 million more General Practice appointments were held in February 2022 than February 2019.
According to the latest figures from NHS Digital, ‘25,326,945’ appointments took place in February 2022, increasing by 2,249,09 from ‘23,077,849’ in February 2019.
The data also shows 4.6% of appointments were recorded as ‘Did Not Attend’, totalling 1,074,474 in the month.
Of the February 2022 appointments, ‘12,858,316’ took place with a GP, which has increased from ‘12,225,424′ in 2019.
In terms of appointment attendance, there has been a significant increase over the course of three years, in which figures have risen from ‘20,737,607’ in February 2019 to ‘23,326,754,’ in February 2022.
Dr Peter Short, Clinical Lead Primary & Social Care Technology, NHS Digital, introduced the appointment data by saying: “General Practice, like much of the NHS at present, is under unprecedented pressure for contact and support for patients. Data on activity has historically been collected from discrete workload surveys that are burdensome and limited in scope.
“In response to a request from the Secretary of State to support General Practice with more accurate information, NHS Digital have been working with professional representatives, system suppliers and NHS England to collect and collate data from the appointment systems held in General Practice.
“We publish the aggregate activity data across England, from practices who are already able to access individual reports from their own systems.
“This data reflects only the planned and scheduled activity recorded within the appointment systems for much of General Practice across England, but will start to contribute valuable insight into the activity at the front line.”
