GP services, or primary care services as they are also known, are the front door to the NHS. This means it is often the first place a person may visit when they have a health care need or are seeking advice regarding a health matter.
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that there have been changes to the way we access advice from GPs and their teams with an increase in online and digital. However primary care has and continues to be as accessible as it always has been.
The pandemic isn’t over so many of these changes are still in place and are being done to ensure everyone is safe. You can find your local GP practice by following this link - NHS find a GP.
GP practices are open and where appropriate and necessary, are offering face to face consultations. However, increasingly consultations can now be done over the phone or using a digital device.
For those who can access digital devices, the vast majority of GP practices offer online services to their patients, which include booking and cancelling of appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and access to their GP record. Some GP practice websites also offer a service online for patients who need advice and treatment for a health matter. Using this system, a GP or health care professional will get back to you and if necessary, you will be offered an appointment online, by telephone or face-to-face.
Covid-19 has meant we have had to alter our approach to access face-to-face appointments and so for the majority of practices a triage process has been introduced which means a telephone call with a GP initially takes place to determine if advice and treatment can be provided without coming into the surgery, to maintain safety for all and reduce the spread of infection.
If you need to see a GP or clinician in person
You may need to do an assessment over the phone first with a GP or Nurse Practitioner to find out more about your health care need. This means that you are seeing the right person and are seen in the appropriate time.
As part of this initial assessment, our receptionists might need to ask you some additional questions. This is to help ensure that you get the right care, in the right way, by the right professional. All staff operate strict privacy guidelines, all your information is treated confidentially.
If you are unsure of what online services are available at your GP practice, please visit their website.
What services are available at GP practices?
GPs work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDTs) who support the care of any patient through promoting, preventing and initiating treatment. They will also refer and signpost to other services if required. Therefore, depending on your health care need, it might be appropriate to make an appointment directly with a member of the team other than the GP. These roles will vary in each practice but include:
The MDT meet regularly to discuss cases and plan joint approaches to co-ordinate packages of care for patients.
How can you get the best out of your GP consultation, watch this video.
More ways you can access support
Did you know that you don’t need to call your GP Practice to order repeat prescriptions? You can do this online or through the NHS App. Download the NHS App here
If you have a common condition such as coughs and colds, sprains and strains, sore throat, sinusitis, earache, constipation or a headache you can speak to your local pharmacist and get free confidential advice. Pharmacists can advise you on many things from advice on common condition to your medication.
If you’re worried, call NHS111 and they will provide advice over the phone or you can visit 111.nhs.uk.
For your children 0-5 years old there is the free Child Health app. Go to your app store on Apple or Google Play.