Frequently asked questions

The survey

Completing the survey

The results

Please note the survey has now closed.

Is the GP Patient Survey accessible?

It is important to us that everyone is able to take part, to feel their answers are included, and the data provided can help the NHS to improve local health services. The GP Patient Survey aims to be as accessible as possible for all participants.

This includes ensuring that:

• We use language that is easy to understand - we have worked with the Plain English Campaign to achieve the Crystal Mark standard for the questionnaire
• People can adjust the colour contrast and make the font larger for the online survey
• The online survey and key FAQs are translated into British Sign Language and 14 other languages
• Easy read information is available
• Our helpline can help people to take part over the telephone
• The survey is available in large print and Braille

In addition, the GP Patient Survey website has been assessed by an independent organisation to ensure that it is as user-friendly as possible. The BBC page My Web My Way has useful advice about changing your web browser settings to help make it easier to use.

If you have any questions or comments about the accessibility of the GP Patient Survey, please email GPPatientSurvey@ipsos.com or call 0800 819 9135.

Can I take part in any other languages?

Yes, you can take part online in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), French, Gujarati, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Spanish, Turkish or Urdu.

Links for each language are available on the languages page. Click on the language to find the online survey link for that language.

You can also take part in another language by calling the following telephone numbers:

English - 0800 819 9135
Arabic - 0800 819 9136
Bengali - 0800 819 9137
Chinese (Simplified) - 0800 819 9138
French - 0800 819 9139
Gujarati - 0800 819 9140
Italian - 0800 819 9141
Polish - 0800 819 9142
Portuguese - 0800 819 9143
Punjabi - 0800 819 9144
Romanian - 0800 819 9145
Slovak - 0800 819 9146
Spanish - 0800 819 9147
Turkish - 0800 819 9148
Urdu - 0800 819 9149

Please note that we can only include one response for each person invited to take part.

What is the Plain English Campaign? Why are they involved in the survey?

The Plain English Campaign works to encourage organisations to provide clear and concise information. Ahead of the 2025 survey, Ipsos worked with the Plain English Campaign on the questionnaire and survey letters to make sure they are easy for everyone to understand, using clear and simple language.

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 on 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 page.

Is the online survey accessible?

The online survey can be completed in 14 languages (as well as English) and British Sign Language. The font size and colour contrast can also be changed.

On a desktop, the following screen readers will work with the online survey:

• JAWS 18 or above on Google Chrome
• NVDA on Firefox
• Dragon Professional Individual V15 on Internet Explorer 11

On a mobile or tablet, the following screen readers will work with the online survey:

• VoiceOver on Safari
• TalkBack / Voice Assistance on Google Chrome

How do I get an easy read version of the questionnaire? Why can't I get an easy read version this year?

An easy read version of the questionnaire was developed with Mencap in 2017, but it was only asked for by a few people. It is possible that the signposting was not suitable for people with learning disabilities, and it is not possible to identify the people who will need it in advance.

An easy read information sheet on our website provides more information about the survey.

You can also get help to take part in the survey by phoning the Freephone helpline, and someone will go through the questions with you. The number to call is: 0800 819 9135 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm; Saturday 10am to 5pm).

Can I fill in the survey on behalf of a relative or friend?

If someone needs your help taking part in the survey, you can offer help. But the answers should be about their experience only.

If your relative or friend does not have the capacity to take part, you can fill in the survey on their behalf, if they have given you permission to do this (for example, if you are their Power of Attorney). Please answer all questions about their experience only, including the demographic questions at the end of the questionnaire.

Ipsos also provides a Freephone survey helpline for patients who have problems filling in the questionnaire. Please call 0800 819 9135 between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, or 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.

What is a Text Relay service?

Text Relay is a service which helps people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired communicate over the phone by converting speech into text, or text into speech. When a person calls the helpline using Text Relay they type their message, and this will go through a text relay assistant who reads the message out to the helpline operator, and vice versa. More information about Text Relay is available here: http://ngts.org.uk/

You can use the Text Relay service to contact our helpline.