At CH Medical we have triaged all urgent requests for appointments for many years, this has helped us make sure that patients are seen by the most appropriate clinician in an appropriate timescale. Recently demand for GP appointments has increased massively and exceeds the capacity we are able to offer on a daily basis. This means that our current system is no longer fair and based purely on clinical need. We are aware from patient feedback and complaints that this is not ideal and is frustrating for patients, as well as our staff.
To address this issue, we are introducing a Total Triage system for all GP appointments. This means that anyone requesting a GP appointment or advice will have their request triaged by a GP. Our online forms provide us with key information about your problem, so that we can arrange an appropriate appointment if needed.
What is Total Triage?
It’s a new appointment system in which patients provide information which is then triaged/screened by a GP before an appointment is given. This means that the GP will determine how quickly an appointment is needed and whether your request would be better dealt with by another member of our multi-disciplinary clinical team or by another service.
How do I request a GP appointment?
Our online form is accessible to everyone, with no need to download an app or log in. All you need is access to the internet, and you can access the system from any device, including your smartphone or tablet. Simply visit our website: www.ch-medical.co.uk and click on ‘Contact us online'.
With a short and simple set of questions, your completed form will be sent to our triage hub, meaning that your appointment request will be triaged promptly, and you will receive a response from us in a timely manner. If you need to be seen on the same day we ask for the request to be submitted before 11am, where possible.
If you have difficulty completing the online form or have no access to the internet this can be completed by a member of the reception team on your behalf. We do not recommend you visit the surgery to complete this due to patient confidentiality.
Why Total Triage?
Screening of appointment requests in this way directs patients to the right service / practitioner often meaning that they are seen more quickly than waiting for a GP appointment. It will also ensure that if you do need to see a GP you are booked in with the most appropriate GP for your needs.
We hope that this will continue to improve patient care by ensuring that GP appointments are offered fairly based on clinical need. This new system will also put a stop to the 8am rush and the appointments being given on a first-come, first-served basis.
We understand that change can be difficult, but we believe that this new approach will ensure that patients’ needs are met safely and efficiently. We are committed to delivering a robust service to our patients, and we believe that this new system will help us achieve this goal.
Click here for a short animation about the new system: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GfyTSW1Nw_0RKHehYP8ctxkdywH1wrj-/view?usp=sharing
Click here for some frequently asked questions about the new system: https://support.accurx.com/en/articles/8608032-patient-support-a-better-way-to-contact-your-gp