Update on changes to access and appointments

We will be making changes to our access and appointment systems from Weds 16th August.

To meet NHS England requirements and help us manage patient demand more effectively, a new system will be implemented that allows us to prioritise patients requests according to clinical need, and improve the way in which we communicate with our patients throughout the appointment booking process.

A new online access system will allow patients to submit their requests online, have their request assessed by a clinician and then be invited to book a convenient appointment of their choice without needing to use the telephone. Patients who use the online system will be able to receive updates and check on their request without needing to telephone the Practice.

Patients who prefer to use the telephone will continue to do so, and requests will be passed by Reception to a clinician to assess in the same way, to ensure no patient is disadvantaged. If you have an urgent clinical need, you will be prioritised now matter how or when you contact us. The more patients who are able to use our online system frees up telephone capacity for those who really need it.

More information about our new system will be published shortly to help patients prepare for the changeover.

Improvements will also be made to our telephone system in late 2023/early 2024, to introduce better information and options for patients queueing. Regrettably these changes cannot be made sooner due to our existing contract, and we will provide a further update on this later in the year.

 

Please note that to implement the changes to our new system, we will have extremely limited capacity for routine appointments before 16th August and will need to prioritise urgent appointment capacity. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause however it is necessary to make the change to our new system for all patients to benefit from the 16th August.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

 

Published: Jul 26, 2023