Future Changes

In common with many surgeries, we are considering setting up a ‘telephone triage’ system for patients needing on the day medical advice or appointments. Patients would speak to one of the Advanced Nurse Practitioners or the Duty Doctor to discuss their problem and how to deal with it. Where a face to face appointment is required, it would be booked in with the relevant clinician – either the patient’s own doctor, the duty doctor or the advanced nurse practitioner. This will ensure that all patients will be seen by the right person in the right timescale.

Comments received:

  • Think that’s brilliant
  • I think that’s a good idea
  • This would be beneficial, appointments wouldn’t be wasted
  • Sounds a good idea
  • Think this would be a good idea
  • A good idea
  • Later opening times on weekends (Friday) (Monday)
  • Happy with the surgery
  • That’s ok
  • Would need to know fully qualified staff taking calls
  • For working people later appointments would be good
  • Face to face consultations would be a far quicker process not having to repeat the same symptoms to different staff
  • Nurse sounds good
  • Think this is a good idea
  • Good idea
  • Appears to be a very practical system and well worth a trial
  • No problem
  • I think this can be a good thing
  • I am 82 years and I don’t think I’d cope
  • No great idea and will help me with my condition
  • It seems ok
  • It would be difficult for them to make a diagnosis over the telephone it does not work very well with out of hours
  • Good idea
  • Good idea
  • Not sure
  • As long as can see someone on day ok
  • As long as problem dealt with promptly ok
  • That’s a good idea
  • Good idea
  • Very good!
  • Very good
  • Sounds like a good idea
  • A good idea
  • Difficulty in getting own doctor
  • Got to see it to believe it! Usually it’s a week on Tuesday!
  • I have experienced this system out of hours and it seems to work
  • Good idea
  • Fairly good idea
  • This would be useful when unable to come in / at work
  • Sounds like a good idea
  • No I think you run this practice very well it could not be any better
  • This would be fine
  • Good idea
  • I think this would work well, freeing up appointments that don’t necessarily need to be used
  • Think this could be a good idea
  • This would be good
  • I think this would be a good idea
  • What happens when the phones are constantly engaged!
  • It’s a good idea in principle just if system is abused could be a problem
  • I think it’s a good idea
  • Good idea
  • Good idea
  • Sometimes ring from 8 o’clock ‘engaged-engaged’ which is frustrating to then find appointments filled
  • Very good idea
  • Wrong information could be given and not treated with correct medication
  • Yes that would be good as if needed or not would be advised properly
  • Car parking should be easier with larger spread of appointment times
  • Think this is an excellent idea and have used something similar already with success
  • Sounds good
  • Very good idea
  • I think it is a good idea, it may free up appointments
  • This would be a good idea in some cases
  • If it means being seen by someone on the day ok
  • Ok if it means my problem can be dealt with properly
  • Fine with me
  • If it helps then yes
  • Sounds like a good idea. I would be happy with
  • I think this is a good idea
  • Would be good
  • Not sure you can judge people’s reactions/ concerns over the phone
  • Yes it could free up appointment times. We only come for repeat prescription which waste GP time
  • Yes this would be very useful
  • My mum’s surgery does this, it has ups and downs. If she needs to be seen I find it frustrating to have to wait for phone call (at work can be problematic). But on days when I only need advice it is brilliant as I get to have a conversation with the important person.
  • You should be able to see a doctor not over the phone
  • Sounds a good idea
  • Good idea
  • Seems a good idea
  • Good idea
  • I think that this would be a very good idea
  • If it makes more efficient then it can only be a good thing
  • Cannot diagnose over the phone. Cannot see general condition of patient
  • I think this is a good idea
  • I agree with telephone triage service
  • I think it’s a great idea
  • Very good idea
  • I phoned yesterday for an apt for this week and couldn’t get one phoned first thing today and got one?
  • Should be easier
  • Ok with that
  • Sounds positive
  • I think this is a good idea, I personally have never had a problem booking myself or my daughter an appointment routine or emergency
  • I’m not fussy on who I see as long as I am dealt with in a professional way
  • Good idea
  • Think it’s a good thing
  • Excellent idea
  • Think that’s a good idea
  • I need to be able to speak to the nurse practitioner or duty doctor about my husbands or daughters problems as well as my own. I also think that if this practice was initiated it will cut out the time wasters!
  • Sounds fair
  • It may be worth trying
  • I like this idea
  • Maybe useful
  • I think this would be a useful addition to the practice
  • Seems sensible
  • Good idea
  • The above system is fine
  • This sounds like a sensible solution to ensure patients can come to the clinic and already know who they will be dealt with
  • We think it’s a good idea
  • This is a very good idea
  • I think things are all right as they are
  • I think this is a good idea
  • Moving with the times is often hard but a triage system would be beneficial to this surgery
  • I think it’s a good idea
  • Definitely a good idea
  • Not happy with ‘over the phone’ diagnosis, not easy for practitioner to ‘read signs’ of patient over phone- in fact impossible