The way you access your surgery is changing.
We want to make access to our services equitable and remove the 08:00 rush.
We hope it will not make any difference if a patient tries to access us in person, by telephone or online.
The Lodge Health Partnership is going to trial a total triage model of care starting from 30th October 2023.
See our how to guide on completing an eConsult online.
What does this mean for our patients?
Patients can still access us in person, on the telephone or online.
Regardless of how a patient accesses us their request will go through the total triage system via our e consultation system. If a patient has attended in person or is on the telephone and has no access to the internet, reception staff will ask the patient questions and complete an e consultation on their behalf which will then go through the triage process. If a patient does have access to the internet, they will be encouraged to complete an e consultation. This is for all clinical and non-clinical queries.
We want to get you to the right person first time in an appropriate time frame. Your e consultation will be triaged by a clinician and you will be signposted either to a clinician at the surgery or to an alternative provider such as the pharmacist, mental health worker or a voluntary service as these might be the most appropriate professional for your needs.
If you need an appointment with one of the practice clinicians you will be offered one of the following.
- an appointment in 24 hours
- an appointment in 72 hours
- a routine appointment in 2-4 weeks
These may be telephone or face to face.
We hope this change will provide a better all-round experience for patients and staff and improve continuity of care.
We realise this is a change and with change comes a degree of anxiety. Please do communicate with us so we can learn and improve the system once we have gone live and be patient with our staff as they are learning a new way of working.
We would also really encourage you to download the NHS app. You can order repeat prescriptions, see test results, see consultations, see documents and letters and access advice from a GP through the e consultation system.
Reception staff will be encouraging you to view test results in this way rather than by telephoning the surgery.
To complete an e consult, go to www.lodge surgery.co.uk and press the orange button or go to your NHS app and for non-medical advice click appointments, and additional GP services. For medical advice click advice and ask your GP for advice.
With all of these ways you will be taken through a series of questions, please be patient with it as they are there for your safety and to ensure you get the right advice.
We communicate a lot of information and advice though our social media so please follow us on:
- Facebook: @thelodgehealthpartnership
- Twitter: @health_lodge
- Instagram: @thelodgehealthpartnership_
If you do not have internet access, then please continue to access us as you always have and the reception team will assist you.
