Medical centre to streamline appointments

A VILLAGE medical centre, swamped by demand, is to introduce a radical new appointments system.
The “Doctor First” programme is already operating successfully in some parts of the country and will be introduced at Stockton Heath Medical Centre in mid-January.
It means patients calling the centre will speak first with a senior clinician – usually a GP.
As a result, many patients are happy not to visit the surgery and the number of missed appointments fall to almost zero.
However, if the patient needs to be seen, the doctor will organise a time for them to visit the surgery – the same day if necessary.
Stockton Heath is not the only place where rising demand is causing problems for GPs – it’s a growing national problem.
The increased demand is partly a result of more patients with complex medical conditions being cared for in the community. Increasing numbers of elderly patients contribute to the problem. This increases the workload for GPs
Under the Doctor First system, 80 per cent of appointment slots are free at the start of the day which means same day access is always available when necessary.
Sister Beverly Hackwell, executive lead, who has been with the practice 23 years, said: “Most patients like Doctor First once they understand the new programme.
“Telephone consultations are not an obstacle to seeing a GP but a faster form of access to the doctor’s knowledge and care.”
Stockton Heath Medical Centre has 17,268 patients, 5,189 of who have high risk problems.
On average there are 3,400 GP and nurse practitioner appointments each month.
The practice also looks after many patients of residential care homes in the area.
Patients with minor illnesses may also find useful, evidence based information on the practice web site www.stocktonheathmedicalcentre.co.uk
During the transitional period, patients are being asked to be understanding.
Sister Hackwell added: “It is a huge change for our staff in the way we work.
“To help our patients understand the new system we will be putting information in the surgery and on the web site.”