We are aware that our current access has not been working for all patients, especially those who request a routine appointment and have to wait a few weeks. Paradoxically, there are several hours of clinical time wasted each week because of missed appointments. We are therefore introducing a new appointment system to improve access for all patients and use resources efficiently.
From 12th June 2023 we will still have a same day triage for urgent problems that may require a same day appointment , alongside an assessment system by GPs and Physician Associates for all routine appointment requests.
Urgent Appointment Request
Please call the practice between 08:00 and 10:30 if you feel you have an urgent matter that needs an appointment the same day. You will be sent a link by the reception team with a form that you need to complete with as much detail as possible answering all the questions. We expect you to be available that day to attend the practice for an appointment at either site (Abbey Lane or Totley Rise) if asked to. If after assessment, it is deemed to be a routine matter by a clinician, this will be added to the assessment list as detailed below.
Routine Appointment Request
If you call the practice to request a routine appointment you will be added to as assessment list and sent a text message with a form that you will need to complete, including as much detail as possible and answering all the questions. You can also find this form on our website. A clinician will then review your request within 72 hours of us receiving it and you may be offered a telephone consultation or a face-to-face appointment within 2 weeks with the most appropriate clinician. You will be notified of this via text message (or phone call if you don’t have a mobile phone). The clinician may decide to do some tests first before offering an appointment. Please bear in mind that not all requests after assessment will need an appointment and your request might be dealt with by the administration team at the direction of a clinician.
We feel that moving to a full triage and assessment system will ensure better access for all our patients and ensure that appointments are utilised appropriately. This should also reduce the number of missed or duplicate appointments which we are seeing with patients regularly who are pre booking appointments that have not be assessed in this way.