Get ready for changes to the appointment system at Frome Medical Practice

IMPROVEMENTS to the way patients request GP or nurse practitioner appointments at Frome Medical Practice come into place on Thursday 21st September. 

From that date, patients are being asked to complete an online form to request appointments. The submitted form will be assessed by a GP, who will decide what needs to happen next and the practice will then contact patients to arrange next steps.

Practice manager, Karen Creffield said, “We are really looking forward to implementing this change, which will improve the process of requesting appointments for our patients. But we know that change can be challenging and it can take a while to get used to new systems so we’re sharing as much information as possible with patients as we countdown to the changes taking place.

“Using the online request form is relatively simple but we know people have a lot of questions about the changes. So, we’ve put together a series of questions and answers, which are available to read on our website, and we hope these will explain what is changing and how the new system will work. We ask that patients who are able to use the internet embrace this change, as it will improve things for patients as well as for our team.”

You can read the full list of questions and answers on the practice website, https://www.fromemedicalpractice.co.uk/request-appointments-online-faq

The practice issued a brief summary of what is (and isn’t) changing:

1. From 21st September we will be asking all patients to complete an online request form to ask for a doctor or nurse practitioner appointment. The form will be available to use from 7.00am to 4.30pm every weekday.
2. Patients who do not have internet access can still call the practice on 01373 301301, choose Option 1 and a Care Navigator will complete the online request form on your behalf over the phone. Please do not use this option if you can complete the form yourself, as calling the practice (or visiting in person) doesn’t mean your request will be dealt with any quicker.
3. We have installed iPads in our reception area, which patients are welcome to use to complete the online request form if they do not have internet access or if they might need support filling in the form.
4. Once your online request form has been sent to us it will be reviewed by a GP and you will be contacted by one of our team with an appropriate appointment or advice.
5. Practice nurse and health care assistant appointments can still be booked directly over the phone or at the practice.
6. If you have been asked to book an appointment for a blood test, BP plus, INR, an NHS Health Check, a cervical smear test or a B12 injection you can book these using the NHS App. Find out more about the NHS App, https://www.fromemedicalpractice.co.uk/the-nhs-app
7. Digital support is available for patients needing help with using our online request form or the NHS App. Please ask for more information about this or follow the link to find out more, https://www.frome medicalpractice.co.uk/digital-health-support

Tips for preparing for the change:

1. If you’ve not yet installed the NHS App we recommend doing this. The app means you can easily book many of our routine appointments, cancel appointments, request repeat prescriptions and check your GP health record.
2. If you need help with installing or using the NHS App please follow this link, https://www.fromemedical practice.co.uk/digital-health-support We have a number of help sessions which take place each week, at the practice as well as at other venues around town.
3. Please read our Frequently Asked Questions page, https://www.frome medicalpractice.co.uk/request-appointments-online-faq which will give you more information about what is happening. The questions are broken down into three sections: 1) an overview of the changes we are making, 2) using the new system and 3) support to help you use the new system.
4. Bookmark our Frequently Asked Questions page as you may want to refer back to it when you first come to use the new system.
5. Please let friends / family / colleagues know that we are making these changes as we know not everyone uses social media or reads the local press.