FIGURES show that almost 90 per cent of patients across Dorset are 'satisfied' with their GP.

The coronavirus pandemic, coupled with a GP shortage, a rise in people seeking mental health support and a backlog of routine treatments, means pressure continues to mount on surgeries, according to Wessex Local Medical Committees (LMC).

READ MORE: GP shortage leaves Dorset health services under 'EXTREME pressure'

However NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have said almost 90 per cent of patients were satisfied despite the challenges.

Dr Forbes Watson, chair of NHS Dorset CCG, said: "Almost 90 per cent of people from Dorset who responded to the recent national patient survey said they were satisfied with their GP.

"This is well above the national average and while we do of course recognise some people feel frustrated on occasion, we would like to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to ensure those who need to see a GP can do so.

"To help ease the pressure on practices we would ask people to consider if other pathways would help more effectively when they become ill, for example a local pharmacist or 111 - leaving capacity for us to see people who need it most."