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GP practices have continually been working hard to improve patient experience and access to their team, recently this has included adopting new digital phone systems which allow a call back, informed queuing and signposting to services if appropriate.
The NHS is training more staff to better assess patients’ needs when they first make contact ensuring they can be seen by the right health professional.
Around 400 additional team members have been recruited into healthcare roles at general practices in our area since 2019/2020 - offering patients access to an expanded team of health professionals in addition to their practice GP or nurse.
GP’s are now supported by this larger team that includes pharmacists, mental health practitioners, paramedics and social prescribers, who work together to support patients to get the right care when needed. For example if you have muscular pain, you can be booked straight in to see a physiotherapist.
Remember you can contact your practice online, on the phone or in person. When you get in touch, you will be asked what you need help with. The information you provide will be used to help choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or other health professional in the team to help or you may be signposted to a more appropriate service so it helps if you can answer questions as fully as possible.
You can always tell your practice:
- If there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional who you would prefer to respond to you
- If you would prefer to consult by phone, face-to-face, by video call, text or email
- If you need an interpreter
- If you have any other access or communications needs.
It's worth knowing appointments are available 8am-8pm and at weekends and you may be offered an appointment at a location that is not your usual surgery.
For opening hours and more information visit your surgery website.
