The Colne Medical Centre in Brightlingsea is to introduce a new appointments system from Monday, May 10 after feedback from patients following changes brought in because of Covid-19.
The Station Road practice says that because there is still a need maintain social distancing and reduce the number of patients making visits, patients who’ve made an appointment with a GP will continue to have a telephone consultation in the first instance. Should a physical examination is required the GP will arrange for patients to visit the practice on the same day.
From Monday, morning surgery will remain as a ‘same day’ booking system and all appointments will be telephone consultations in the first instance. Afternoon telephone appointments with a GP, GP registrar or nurse practitioner will be available to book one week in advance. These appointments will be available to book online for those registered for online access or by calling reception on 01206 302522. Assessment with the physiotherapist can also be booked online or by phone.
The practice says that demand for appointments has increased dramatically over the last six months and as a result the practice cannot guarantee that patients will get an appointment on the same day if requests are not clinically urgent. There are 14 phone lines into the practice and callers will be placed in a queue and answered as soon as possible. Patients are requested to call after 11am to ask about test results, non urgent enquiries and routine bookings with the nursing team.
The new appointment system will be reviewed within the next month but our hope is that this will provide more flexibility for our patients.
