Latest update on askmyGP app
Weston has seen the biggest roll-out of the new online booking system in the country, with nine surgeries either already using it, or planning to bring it in shortly.
The BNSSG said earlier in the year that the new service had been given the thumbs up and initial feedback had been positive. The commissioning group reported back in March that 70% of the 889 of patients who responded to a survey were impressed with the speed of the system, with around two thirds feeling it was easy to use and solved their problem.
Denys Rayner, ISS Support Manager, from clinical commissioning group BNSSG, will be giving an update on this and will be taking a Q&A from members of the public at our board meeting on July 9th which will take place from 2-4pm at Hans Price Building, Knightstone Campus, Weston College, BS23 2AL. Refreshments will be served.
AskmyGP has been introduced to help with the retention of doctors by finding alternative means of responding to less urgent inquiries and is part of an initiative known as the Intensive Support Site project for Weston and Worle.
Using askmyGP, patients can contact their practice on the day they require an appointment and depending on their need, they will either be given self-help advice, have their request dealt with over the phone or by email, or be offered an appointment with a GP or healthcare professional.
The online service also means patients can avoid unnecessary visits to their practice as a GP or health professional may be able to help over the phone, by secure message or by using a video link.
The CCG was awarded £400,000 by NHS England to work with Weston and Worle GP practices to support GP retention and help improve services for patients in Weston, Worle, Banwell and Winscombe as part of the Healthy Weston programme.
The Weston and Worle area is one of only seven ISS sites created across the country, and secured the funding due to greater number of GPs and nurses nearing retirement age, the ratio of patients to GPs, and the long-term recruitment and retention problems.
