Hebden Bridge Group Practice changes appointments system
Saturday, 25 August 2018
Notices have appeared in the Practice waiting areas and on the Practice website telling users of forthcoming changes to the appointments system, and people have been contacting the HebWeb with their concerns.
Consequently, the HebWeb approached the Practice Manager for more information about these changes which, we understand, have been prompted by several doctors leaving the Practice.
Here's the information sent to the HebWeb by Practice Manager, Tony Martin:
The Practice is making some changes to the way it manages access to "on the day" appointments. From 30th August 2018, there will no longer be a telephone duty doctor system for urgent appointments.
In its place there will be from Monday - Friday 8am until 10.30 am, a walk in surgery at Grange Dene Medical Centre where patients with a single urgent problem can sit and wait to see an appropriate clinician.
Where the patient has a problem which is not urgent, the Practice will be providing more routine appointments.
The Practice anticipates that this change in the service will continue to ensure that we are able to provide the speediest access to those in greatest need, whilst enabling us to free up clinical time for more routine problems presented by our patients
Given that there is currently no option to contact the Practice by email or text, the HebWeb asked how users might give their feedback in respect of these changes, the Practice Manager said they could call in, phone or write a letter.
See also, this HebWeb Forum thread about the changes, with a charge of a lack of consultation.
What does one do after 10.30? Put more pressure on A&E I suppose.