The relentless surge in demand for appointments in general practice nationally has led to NHS England adopting new ways to manage this.
Amongst other ongoing programmes, Pharmacy First Service and Total Triage are two such ways employed nationwide.
Pharmacy First Scheme allows people to be treated by the trained Pharmacists without the need for a GP appointment. Link below sheds more light on this:
Pharmacy First - getting the most from your pharmacist
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Condition
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Ages covered
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Acute otitis media
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1 to 17 years
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Impetigo
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1 year and over
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Infected insect bites
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1 year and over
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Shingles
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18 years and over
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Sinusitis
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12 years and over
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Sore throat
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5 years and over
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Uncomplicated urinary tract infections
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Women 16-64 years
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Total Triage / Care Navigation allows appointment requests to be submitted and assessed digitally (online, via telephone and in-person at the practice reception) before an appointment is offered. Outcomes can be seeing at the GP practice, a walk-in or urgent care centre, contacting NHS111 or attending A&E.
Why is this necessary?
1. Aim is to abolish the 8am queues and early morning telephone rush. Queuing and telephoning first thing in the morning will no longer be necessary as you can submit your request as and when your medical need arises: Online, via telephone, or in-person at the practice reception. We encourage choosing online form as far as possible as this improves efficiency in a significant way. Receptionists are no longer able to book appointments directly.
2. Equity of access. This system allows the provision of appointments to be fair based on clinical need rather than if a person if IT literate or got there first, for example.
3. Efficiency. Appointments are a precious resource and we want to ensure that our patients get the right type of appointment with the right clinician, first time around.
4. Prompt response on the phones. As more and more people start to use the online submissions, phone lines can be kept free for those who really need to call the surgery. Ultimately, this will help shorter phone queues and phones being answered quicker.
What do you need to do?
1. You can access the appointment request form on our website.
2. If you do not have a smart phone and no other form of digital access, you will not be disadvantaged. Our reception team will continue to help you fill the form which will then be assessed along with the others. They will no longer be able to book appointments directly for you as they did before.
3. The Online form will be available on the NHS App. With the use of NHS App, you can also request your repeat prescriptions, check your blood results and view your medical records.
We look forward to providing you with an improved service.