Bowes and Bounds Connected
A Community Network for Bowes Park and Bounds Green
New appointment system at Bounds Green GP surgery
Later this month the Bounds Green Group Practice is introducing a new appointment booking system - which is aimed at speeding-up access to your doctor.
The surgery has a new service they claim will help you to get the appointment you need, when you need it. You will be able to speak directly to your GP when you call, on the day that you call, and receive advice on your health problem directly.
The Bounds Green Group Practice suggests that by offering telephone appointments and giving advice over the 'phone it can overcome the difficulty or frustration of waiting to get get an appointment. This way the surgery aim to make sure that everyone is able to speak to, or see their doctor on the day that they call or the day that they choose.
Details on the Group Practice website explains: The receptionist will ask for basic details and a brief description of what your health problem is. You can ask to speak to a specific doctor if they are free, or they will call you back as soon as they can. After discussion the issue may be resolved - or if your doctor thinks you need to come in - he or she will make you an appointment. As your doctor is the one making the appointment he or she can judge what type of consultation you may need.
This new method of access is not exclusive to GPs; other forms of public services are also adapting they way they interact with service users. The recent re-organisation of welfare includes adopting a digital-by-default approach to some services requiring applicants to only apply online This approach will be extended across many public services.
At its best these developments could free-up valuable appointment times for in-depth consultations when they are needed, whilst allowing an immediate response for those whose issues are more straightforward.
Or is it an efficiency drive that could leave some elderly or more vulnerable patients (those in most need of a face-to-face service) finding a confusing transition to a new system without support and explanation.
What do you think of the new plans?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Duffy on
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Hi Richard - I have often not bothered to try and make an appointment with my GP at times because I didn't understand the present system. I have rung up loads of times to be told all appointments are full, you have to ring by 8.30, the next appointment is in two weeks time but you have to ring up to get a place because the system for today is full, etc. by which time I've just decided to stick it out and hope for the best. It's not like this all the time of course, but on many occasions it is.
Therefore, I see this could be an improvement. But I do wonder how the busy receptionists will cope with speaking to lots of people about their ailments on the phone ... time will tell I guess.
Kathleen
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Permalink Reply by Lizzie Clark on
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I guess we’ll have to see how this pans out over time but my first instinct is that this may be more convenient for the doctors but far less so for the patient. I just tried to make an appointment for my daughter for tomorrow (not usually a problem in the past) and been told they now only make on the day appointments. This means everyone phoning the surgery at the same time in the morning – so hanging on in a queue and then apparently waiting around for a doctor to phone you back. Surely this makes it difficult to plan your day as you don’t know when you will be called back and don’t know when (or whether) the doctor will agree to see you. It seems impractical especially if you have to go to work. Rather than telling your employer you’ll be in slightly late due to a doctor’s appointment you have no idea how long your day might be delayed for until the day itself. I am willing to be proved wrong but this doesn’t look to me like it has been thought through with the end user in mind.
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I've never been able to get an appointment the next day - I've always had to wait, or perhaps there's been a cancellation. I used to be a patient at the health centre just opposite St Paul's Church. It was always easy to get an appointment there. To be honest, I don't understand it all. Looking at Lizzie's reply above, it all seems like something from Through the Looking Glass!
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