We want to make it easier for patients to contact the surgery and help your request to be handled on the day you call.
We’ve introduced a digital telephone and easy to use online tools which means patients can contact us and should have their query dealt with on the same day from 7th October 2024. Appointments will also be available to pre-book once triaged by a GP or, where appropriate, patients will be signposted for example to a local pharmacy or other more appropriate services.
New technologies mean that our phones are freed up and people can get through easier to the practice. Our phones now give you a queue position and integrate with the clinical system, there’s also a call back option so that you don’t have to wait, we will call you back. Digital tools allow patients to get help without needing to come to the surgery at times, many of our patients find this way of communicating with the practice very helpful as their issue can be resolved without having to leave home!
All our non-clinical staff have received training in care navigating which help them assess, prioritise and respond to patients effectively. Care navigators can signpost patients to other professionals within the practice such as pharmacists and advanced practitioners.
The benefits to you will be:
- Increased appointment availability – patients can usually see a health professional on the day without having to wait weeks or months.
- Reduced appointment cancellations
- Demand will be managed better as peak demand times will be resourced efficiently.
Implementing on-the day management of appointments will improve access and reduce waiting times, appointments will be released on the day for both routine and urgent care, these will be triaged by a GP. The best way to arrange an appointment with us is via the appointments page on our website. From 7th October the form will be available between the hours of 7am and 10am. Appointment requests after this will need to be made by telephone to ensure we can manage demand.
Normal appointments are available until the 7th October however from 7th October we will be operating a total triage system, appointments can be booked in advance at the request of a GP however we envisage that most appointment requests will be made and dealt with on the day. We therefore encourage you to use the online form to book an appointment on the day you require an appointment from 7th October, there will be limited appointments to book in advance prior to this date.
We understand change can be difficult, we are committed to supporting you during this transition and thank you in advance for your support.