Dear Patients, please see below a list of areas that we are working on to improve your access to care:
- Easier access to our telephone lines
We will aim to reduce the time you have to wait to speak to us on the telephone by making sure we have more staff to cover busy periods and encourage patients to use digital tools like NHS App when this would be faster and easier. This will help to free up the phone lines.
- Appointments, When and how you need them
We will aim to make the best use of our teams and our technology to ensure same-day and non-urgent routine appointments are available for you when you need them, with a choice of telephone, face to face and online consultations
- Better Use of Local Services Like Pharmacies
We’re working closely with local community pharmacies who are able to see you quickly for some minor illnesses, which will free up GP appointments for those who need them most.
- Support for the Most Vulnerable Patients
We will continue to improve holistic care for patients with complex needs so that they can see the right clinician with longer appointments when needed and support from our wider teams will give them more continuity of care.
- Easier Ways to access help
We’re encouraging the use of the NHS App and online services, and we will offer support to anyone who needs help getting started. This will enable patients to take more control of their care.
- Faster Responses to Online consultation requests
We aim to respond to all online consultation requests by the end of the next working day — so you hear back quickly when you contact us online