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Worksheets for auditing patient demand

The author of Pulse’s popular five-part series on preparing for CQC inspections has shared a template for measuring and auditing patient demand

Carole Cusack writes: “The first step in improving access is understanding the practice’s daily demand for appointments. On each day we need to know the number of people who wish to be seen that day, or a future day, for any appointment type (excluding special clinics). By including future demand we can understand the totality of demand including people who wish to book ahead.

Daily demand = same day demand + demand for future appointments

Instead of measuring activity (the number of appointments we offer) we need to understand what patients are actually asking for in any one day.

“Demand should be measured during a ‘typical’ week in each month, for at least 4 months; if time is of the essence, then practices can measure demand for four consecutive weeks. It is important that data is collected across a whole week so that any variances can be seen.

“You may also wish to consider measuring daily demand at different times of the year as there is sometimes a variation between summer and winter. It is important to work with Reception staff to explain the importance of this work and so secure their commitment.

“Trial any collection method used to ensure it is understood prior to the practice wide measurement being taken. There are a number of ways that demand can be measured, but it should always be kept as simple as possible.

“Create a tick box such as the one attached. For one week record each day the total appointment requests in the practice (regardless of the date when the appointment is booked in). This should include telephone requests, those made in person and follow-ups.

“Do this for a week. This sheet can be left with reception staff who can then mark down every time an appointment request comes in and should also be given to anyone else in the team who may make an appointment for a patient.”

Click here to read or download the resource.