Primary Care is changing but your GP surgery team is there to support you.
This week on Stokie Street, John isn’t feeling great, and his wife June is worried. He’s tried to get an appointment with the GP and has been offered a telephone appointment, but he doesn’t see the point. They chat with Zi about the changes in primary care, and how a telephone appointment can be just as effective.
Changes to primary care services
The NHS have made some changes to how you get an appointment at your GP surgery. We understand that this change might take some getting used to, but these changes have been made to help get you the right care at the right time.
When you book an appointment at your GP surgery, there are now some different ways to be seen:
- face-to-face (in person),
- by phone,
- by video.
You might be offered a telephone or video call appointment first to help understand your needs, which may also be easier and save you time. Though if you need to be seen face-to-face or have difficulty accessing this type of appointment you will be seen in person.
It is also important to note that the NHS has lots of staff available to help, so you may not always see a doctor, you could be seen by a:
- nurse
- pharmacist
- health care assistant
- physiotherapist
- social prescriber
- mental health practitioner, or other.
You can find out more about how to access care here.
The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board are currently seeking patient feedback on access to GP services, and you can fill in their survey here
Concerned you aren’t receiving the right care?
Whilst these changes have been brought in to improve care services, it is important you know where to go when things don’t run so smoothly.
If you have any concerns over your care your local Healthwatch are an independent and impartial body with the power to ensure NHS decision makers listen. They have guidance on complaints procedures, and any information you share with them is confidential.
They have also put together a helpful guide on how to get the most out of virtual care.
And as always, if you have anything you wish to feedback to us as Community Health Champions, please get in touch.