More than a fifth of Herts Valley patients avoided making a GP appointment in the past year over fears of being a burden on the NHS, according to a survey.

Between January and March, 6,910 patients in the NHS Herts Valley CCG area who had needed GP appointments over the last 12 months were asked if they had avoided booking them, and the reasons why.

Of these patients, 1,460 (21 per cent) said they put off seeing their GP because they did not want to place a burden on the NHS during the pandemic – the most common reason given.

Meanwhile, 18 per cent said they did not make an appointment as they were worried about the risk of catching Covid-19, and 9 per cent because it was too difficult.

Of patients who needed appointments, 41 per cent said they avoided making one for any reason – in line with the average across England.

The figures come from the 2021 GP Patient Survey, which provides an overview of patients’ experiences with primary care services.

Around 83 per cent said they had a good overall experience of their local practice, compared to 82 per cent the previous year.

In Herts Valley, 86 per cent of patients described their experience as good – one of the highest rates in the country.