The ONS survey, commissioned by NHS England, shows 48.1% of those who had successfully contacted their GP practice did so by telephone, although 13.8% described this as ‘difficult'. Those who contacted their GP practice via online methods or in person were most likely (76.0% and 74.4%) to describe the experience as ‘easy'.

The data shows 72.7% of those who tried to contact their GP practice perceived their overall experience of the practice as either ‘very good' or ‘good'. Older adults were most likely to describe their experience as ‘very good' or ‘good' - 78.1% for those aged 75 plus - compared with those in the younger age groups (63.4%) for 16- to 24-year-olds.

Of those given an appointment or a call back from a GP/healthcare professional in the past 28 days, 81.8% were either given a face-to-face appointment or asked if they wanted one. Those in London and the South East were less likely (77.2% and 78.2%) to be given either a face-to-face appointment or asked if they wanted one.

The figures show of those who had a face-to-face appointment in the last 28 days, 36.1% have a preferred healthcare professional. Women were more likely than men to say this - 38.4% compared with 32.7% - as were older adults. Adults with a long-term health condition were significantly more likely (54.6%) to have a preferred healthcare professional than people without a long-term health condition (30.9%).

In addition, the data reveals 52.8% of adults reported having an NHS dentist. A third (35%) of adults had a private dentist and 12% did not have a dentist. Males were more likely not to have a dentist (14.1%) than females (10%). Adults in the South West and South East were most likely to have a private dentist, the figures show.

Nine out of ten (89.8%) adults with an NHS dentist who attended an NHS dental appointment in the past 28 days, were ‘very satisfied' or ‘satisfied' with the care they received. Of those who did not have a dentist, but tried to make an NHS dental appointment in the previous 28 days, 81.2% were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, 56% of adults reported using NHS services from a pharmacy in the past 28 days and 88.6% of those doing so reporting being ‘very satisfied' or ‘satisfied' with the most recent service they had received. However, 14.3% of those who had been dispensed an NHS prescription had a problem getting their prescription. Females, older adults, and those with a long-term health condition were significantly more likely to report using NHS services from a pharmacy ‘several times a month'. Most adults (78.9%) used a pharmacy they could walk to.

Levels of satisfaction tended to be higher among the older age groups, those living in the least deprived areas and those without a long-term health condition, the data shows.