How to advocate for yourself at the GP surgery after busiest winter on record for the NHS
It’s been a challenging winter for the NHS 🏥
- It’s been a challenging time for the NHS, which has faced its busiest winter on record.
- A recent survey from law firm Slater and Gordon has revealed a quarter of adults wait up to three weeks to see their GP.
- They offer advice on how to advocate for yourself during your next GP appointment.
It’s been a challenging time for the NHS, which has faced its busiest winter on record.
The latest data from NHS England shows there were 1.43 million treatments delivered in December, increasing by 91,775 compared to last year, with staff delivering a high of 18.4 million treatments and operations in 2025.
Whilst waiting lists are coming down, patients are facing barriers when it comes to seeing their GP. A recent survey from law firm Slater and Gordon asked 4,040 UK adults aged 16 and over about waiting times and public confidence in GP surgeries.
It revealed that a quarter of UK adults are waiting up to three weeks for an initial GP appointment. With a concerning 35% admitting they do not bother getting in touch with their GP, and that one in three people believe they have been misdiagnosed when they are eventually seen.
Among those affected by a suspected misdiagnosis, just over a third turned to seeking a second opinion, whilst 31% turned to another professional to confirm the misdiagnosis, and 18% went private.
How to advocate for yourself at the GP surgery?
Following on from the results of the survey, Slater and Gordon offer a self-advocacy tool-kit and have outlined five ways you can advocate for yourself at the GP surgery.
Be informed
Slater and Gordon recommend you research your health condition, the symptoms and available treatment options using reputable resources such as the NHS website. Knowing about the treatment methods available will help you have a meaningful conversation and make an informed decision about your care.
Ask questions
Asking your healthcare team questions is crucial to understanding what’s wrong, what your treatment plan is, what’s been prescribed and the alternatives. Make sure to ask questions to ensure you fully understand your diagnosis, treatment options and what this means for you.
Communicate clearly
It’s important to communicate if you have a preference for a treatment plan or any concerns about your treatment clearly so that your doctor or healthcare team know what you want and expect from your appointment.
Ask for a second opinion
If ever you are concerned about a diagnosis or treatment plan and don’t believe your current doctor is listening, you have a right to ask for a second opinion.
Keep a record
Take notes and keep a record of your appointments, as well as any questions you asked and what the answers were. If you asked for a second opinion, or multiple professionals were involved in your care, keep a note of their names and any specialisms.
You can also ask for a loved one, such as a friend or family member, to be present during your appointments. This can be very helpful as they may remember information you forget or feel more comfortable challenging decisions or asking questions.
Emma Doughty, Head of Clinical Negligence at Slater and Gordon, said: “When you seek help from a healthcare provider, you have the right to expect time to set out and discuss your symptoms and concerns.
“You deserve a standard of care, and if possible, investigations which lead to a considered diagnosis. The level of misdiagnosis which seems to be happening is truly shocking, and that has inevitably caused a lack of faith and trust in local healthcare providers, as shown by the study.
“If you feel that you are being ignored, mistreated or misdiagnosed, then please feel encouraged to speak out.”
You can find out more about questions to ask a doctor at your GP appointment at NHS.UK.