Telephone System Update

Telephone System Update – New Options When You Phone Us.

We are aware that some patients are having to wait longer than usual to get through to us on the telephone, we apologise for these delays they are due to various issues including, increased demand in General Practice, staff sickness / staff isolating, increased calls due to the vaccinations programmes and the need to triage appointment requests.

One of the measures we are putting in place to try to help with the telephone wait times is to introduce a new line for patients who need to book an appointment with a nurse, healthcare assistant or a phlebotomist (this will be for things like blood tests, vaccinations, smears, dressings, annual reviews or health checks). Please do not use this option if you need an appointment with a doctor, as the receptionist will need to transfer you to the appropriate telephone queue for these requests.

From Monday the 01/11/2021 the options you hear when you phone us will change so please listen to them carefully.

We hope that this will help to decrease the time patients are having to wait to get through to us on the telephones, but we will be reviewing the situation regularly.