Practice Announcement
Changes to appointment access / format
We are writing to you about the way that access to urgent appointments will be provided in the future.
We know how much you value being able to see a health practitioner on the same day for urgent problems. We are committed to continuing this but we want to provide this in a more effective, efficient and safer way which will give you more time with the doctor for more complex problems and access to a shorter appointment for individual urgent problem that require being seen on the same day.
As a practice we are also conscious and forward thinking in regards to the lack of GPs training for the future and the changes in the workforce, enabling us to provide a variety of clinicians to suit your needs.
The changes we propose have been tried and tested in line with examples of best practice throughout the UK.
From Monday 06/08/2018 the surgery telephone lines will be open from 8.30AM to enable you to book an appointment in either the Routine Access Clinic or Urgent Access Clinic. We also offer the ability to book your appointments online. Please ask reception for a consent form to activate this (routine access only).
For patients booked into the Urgent Access Clinic: This is an URGENT 5 minute appointment for 1 problem ONLY to ensure you are seen the same day. For more than one issue please book into Routine Access Clinic and request extended time should you need it.
Please be aware that to enable us to ensure you see the most appropriate person within the appropriate time frame the reception team will ask a few questions to sign post you to the most appropriate health professional to make sure we don’t miss something urgent. We have a growing team of clinicians that can help with your conditions so feel free to ask for more information if you are unsure.
We also offer telephone consultations if you are unable to get into the surgery or have a query that requires discussing with a clinician rather than a face to face appointment. A Clinician will help assess the appropriateness to be assessed / treated over the telephone and if required appointments / investigations will be arrange for you following this.
Our longer term plan is to work closely with our sister practice Hallgate Surgery which is now based at the Cottingham Clinic on King Street. This will allow for us to offer further access to services and clinicians to help with you care. To access the services you require within the appropriate time frame you may be asked to attend Hallgate surgery for an appointment if you are unwell and need to be seen urgently.
Many thanks for your ongoing support
The Chestnuts Surgery Team
Practice Annoucement- Access / Format Changes