Patients in Kent are more likely to see their doctors on the day that they want than elsewhere in the country – unless they live in Medway.

The Eastern and Coastal Kent (ECK), and West Kent (WK) Primary Care Trusts were in the top 20 per cent of healthcare providers for ensuring patients see GPs promptly.

But in Medway people are less likely to get an appointment within the Government's target of two working days, according to a survey by the Healthcare Commission.

In Medway, nearly a third of patients (31 per cent) claimed to wait longer than the target time to see a doctor, compared to a national average of 25 per cent.

Jill Norton, chief executive of Medway Primary Care Trust, accepts more work needs to be done to improve patient services.

~ Listen: Jill Norton speaks to kmfm >>>

ECK and WK fared better with 17 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

David Barr, clerk from the Kent Medical Committee, which speaks on behalf of all 1,200 GPs in Kent, said: "Broadly it's a reflection that Medway contains many of the areas of high deprivation which traditionally have lower levels of investment in general practice, which is inevitably why it has come out weaker.

"It's important that this survey is recognised by the PCTs and that the investment goes into these areas to improve those services."

The Healthcare Commission asked 56 questions of 152 PCTs in England. The aim of the survey was to give an insight into peoples' experiences of GP practices and health centres.