NHS 111 Online

    (22 Jan 2019)

     

    Please help us to help you this winter.

    NHS 111 is now online! It is designed to offer you the right medical attention when you feel you need it urgently.  Every day, many of our patients ring the surgery not knowing which part of the NHS to turn to for their medical problem.  NHS 111 can help direct you to the most appropriate local service for your problem & may save you a trip to the surgery.

    It is really quick & easy to access NHS 111 Online:

    1. Visit https://111.nhs.uk
    2. Enter your postcode & a couple more details
    3. Type & answer questions on your symptoms
    4. Receive advice!

    Whilst NHS 111 can assess all problems, if you feel yours might be a medical emergency, always ring 999 instead.  Examples of medical emergencies are:

    • Signs of a heart attack: pain like a very tight band, heavy weight or squeezing in the centre of your chest
    • Signs of a stroke: face drooping on one side, can’t hold both arms up or difficulty speaking; or a sudden change in vision, hearing, sensation or balance
    • Severe difficulty breathing: gasping, not being able to get words out, choking or lips turning blue
    • Severe infection or a non blanching rash (one that does not disappear with 'the glass test')
    • Heavy bleeding or bleeding that won’t stop
    • Severe injuries or deep cuts after a serious accident
    • Seizure (fit): someone is shaking or jerking because of a fit, or is unconscious (can’t be woken up)
    • Overdose, self-harm or intent to commit suicide
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    New Telephone System

    (08 Oct 2018)

     

    You said: "The practice is let down by difficulty making an appointment by telephone" (Practice Questionnaire, 2018).

    We listened: The practice's partners have purchased a new telephone system, which became operational on 19th July 2018.

    This means:

    • We can handle more calls at a time;
    • If all our phone lines are busy, your call may be placed in a queue;
    • Your call may be recorded for training & monitoring purposes.

    The initial feedback from our patients has been generally positive, as there is no longer an engaged tone when our receptionists are busy with other calls

    The queuing system should make the allocation of on-the-day appointments as fair & efficient as possible - please ring after 9:30am if you need anything else.

    Unfortunately, no telephone system can change the fact that despite offering as many appointments as possible, we do not have unlimited availability.

    Our receptionists are now trained in Active Signposting to help patients get the right care, in the right place at the right time; for example:

    • Attending the walk in centre in Ormskirk is often an appropriate alternative to a GP appointment;
    • Some patients require emergency assessment by the ambulance service;
    • Some problems can even be managed without a GP appointment.

    If you are ever unsure which part of the NHS to use, the 111 telephone service has been commissioned to offer an alternative source of urgent advice.

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