eConsult Online Service
You may have already heard of a new online service called eConsultwhich GP practices in the South West New Forest area are trialling currently. This gives adults medical advice via their GP practice’s website which is already helping patients get support more quickly.
The scheme is also freeing up precious time for doctors to see the patients who need their help most.
Patients registered with participating practices are encouraged to try using eConsult next time they need support from their GP, as initial results show many people are already finding the service a convenient way to access medical advice 24/7.
eConsult has been launched by Better Local Care (BLC) in Hampshire, the initiative which aims to simplify how people access health and social care in their community by removing the red tape and piloting new schemes.
As well as the South West New Forest the service is being trialled in a number of parts of Hampshire and has improved access to services for thousands of people across the area since the trail began rolling out in the summer.
It is also likely to help relieve pressure on busy acute hospital emergency departments this winter, as patients get earlier access to healthcare or advice before their conditions deteriorate.
The GP web service helps patients decide if they really need to see a GP or find out what other options are available to them. eConsult offers:
* self-help information
* signposting to services
* a symptom checker which can help them establish whether they need a GP appointment
* an online service to get GP advice for non-urgent health conditions
Findings so far show that over 1,500 people a week have used eConsult in Hampshire and since the pilot started in July more than 3,500 GP appointments have been saved. The results of this trial will help the local NHS decide how best to use online services to improve access to care in the future.
How eConsult works
Patients go to their practice website and click the eConsult option. This action takes them to a different website which asks them what they want.
Many visitors seeking information on a range of health issues find out what they want immediately – giving them 24/7 healthcare. In an earlier pilot study, 60% of patients were able to resolve their health concerns without visiting the practice.
Patients who do decide to submit a request for GP advice (it’s a questionnaire) will receive a response by the end of the next working day – and usually much faster.The practice contacts each patient to let them know the outcome of the eConsult, which could include being offered an appointment, talking to a healthcare professional over the phone or collecting a prescription – this can be organised direct to your local pharmacy – just ask.
Senior Project Manager Norma Christison said: “We accept that eConsult will be a bit of a cultural shift for some people – but the convenience of the service will appeal to many as they can avoid some appointments. Only one in ten patients who use it are expected to still need to see a GP. That’s a huge saving in terms of GP appointment time and will really improve the service for people living in Hampshire.
“Most GP practices pledge to call back by no later than the end of the next working day. If we get back to the patient quickly, they are more likely to use eConsult again and help to prevent an escalation of health issues which otherwise could result in attendance at A&E.We hope eConsult will also help to reduce the pressure on the urgent care system.”
Please let us know what you think once you have used eConsult.
Jan Lamont
Practice Manager