Tonyfelin Medical Centre Newsletter

July 2011

In this newsletter, we will cover:

  • My Health Online system
  • Visit to the practice of the Welsh Government First Minister and Health Minister
  • our appointment system
  • changes to GPs
  • travel vaccinations
  • other news items

My Health Online

We are piloting a new all-Wales system, My Health Online, which enables patients to book appointments with the practice on-line. Patients need to register to use the system, initially by coming into the practice to receive registration details and bringing photo ID with them. We are making a limited number of appointments available to book on-line initially and we will monitor the service to review take-up of the service and adjust as appropriate. We are of course mindful of providing sufficient appointments for patients to book by phone or in person for those patients, who prefer to do so. The system should not only make it easier for patients to book an appointment, without having to phone, but will also reduce some of the phone traffic therefore making it easier for patients, who still need to phone us, to get through. Fewer phone calls will also mean that our staff have more time to deal with patients in person and on the phone.

So, if you would like to register, please come into the practice (bring photo ID with you) and register at reception.

Visit to the practice by the First Minister and Health Minister

We were very pleased to host a visit to the practice on 16 June by the First Minister, the Health Minister and our local Assembly Minister, together with a number of other officials, including the Chair of the Aneurin Bevan Health Board. They came to see My Health Online in use and they talked to a number of patients and staff about the benefits of the system. They were impressed with the initial patient response to the system and are very keen to see the system rolled out across Wales, improving patient access to GP practices.

Appointment system

As you may be aware, we held a patient vote during April / May for patients to vote on whether they wanted to keep our current appointment system or change it to a number of alternate options. The majority vote was to retain the current appointment system, i.e. booking morning appointments the day before and afternoon appointments up to 4 weeks ahead. We will therefore keep the current system however we will continue to review the system and keep it under discussion with the practice patient participation group.

We appreciate that many patients are currently frustrated by how busy our phone lines are. We are reviewing this to identify how we can dedicate more resource to phone answering and we will do our best to improve this situation.

Changes to GPs

From 1 October 2011, we will have some changes to our GPs at the practice. Dr Edwards and Dr Lewis will be working 2 days per week at the practice, rather than their current 4 days per week. Dr Rahman will be working 5 days per week rather than his current 4 days per week. A new GP, Dr Erica Lloyd, is joining the practice, working 3 days per week, so we will have more appointments to offer to patients, who prefer to see a female GP.

Travel vaccinations

The practice is able to provide all common travel vaccinations as well as yellow fever, rabies and meningitis. If you need vaccinations, please make an appointment with a nurse and let our receptionists know where you are travelling to and provide a list of destinations, if appropriate. You will need to complete a travel questionnaire (which can be downloaded from our website or collected from the practice) and bring this to your appointment. Some vaccinations are not provided by the NHS and are therefore chargeable – details of the charges can be found on our website. If your travel arrangements are complex or you are travelling to remote destinations or for long periods, you will be better advised to visit a local MASTA clinic for specialist advice. Details of the local clinic can be found on our website.

Comments and suggestions

Please let us have any comments / suggestions via our website or on a suggestions card in the waiting room.