Castlehead Medical Centre in Keswick has been working with the General Practice Improvement Plan (GPIP) to make improvements to the current appointment booking system.
From September 16 the medical centre will be moving to a “total triage” appointment system for all GP appointment requests.
“The number of appointments being offered will remain the same and we will still continue to see most patients face-to-face,” said business operational manager Laura Crane. “However, all requests for a GP appointment will be reviewed and triaged (sorted) by a GP on the day that a request is received, ensuring that everyone gets safe and timely access to the care that they need.
“We will continue to ensure that continuity of care is prioritised.”
From September 16 the best way to contact the practice for a GP appointment will be via an online consultation form on the practice website or through the NHS app.
For patients who are unable to complete an online form, or prefer to phone the practice – the phone lines will remain open and the receptionist will complete the form on the patient’s behalf.
The form will prompt patients or carers to answer questions relating to their query and a GP will review the information provided. Patients will then be contacted by their preferred method of communication with an invitation to book an appointment with the most appropriate clinician; this could be a GP, nurse, physiotherapist, clinical pharmacist – or they may be sign-posted to a different service if that was better suited to their needs.
Ms Crane added: “Castlehead Medical Centre is excited to bring this positive change to the practice and thanks everyone for their patience and understanding whilst these improvements are put into place.”
