Appointments

How to make an Appointment

Patchs Newsletter – September 2024

We operate a triage first system which allows those who have the greatest clinical need, not want, to be given an appropriate appointment.

An appropriate appointment is considered to be with the most appropriate clinician for the issues shared with our team at the time of requesting care. This allows us to prioritise patients just as A&E does. Those with the least clinical need (as assessed by a clinically led triage team) will wait longer to receive an appointment or care. It is therefore important to ensure you give accurate information on your online triage form or on the phone to our team.

This approach is being continually developed and has led to more patients being seen in a timely manner by the appropriate clinician.

We aim get back to you with in 24 of submission. This is especially useful for medical advice, queries, and admin tasks such as requesting a sick note.  Please submit as much information as you can.

For those patient who are elderly or vulnerable and need further support please contact Reception 0151 327 1391 from 8:00am

When the practice has reached its full capacity and we have no more appointments to offer you may be advised to contact 111.  This service is in place to support practices when we reach full capacity.

PATCHS registering and login support

Submitting Patchs on behalf of someone you care for

Have you considered self care?

Many things get better by themselves, or with simple measures.  If you need help with self-managing your problem, we recommend the following:

Pharmacy First Services

Your local pharmacy or chemist can provide you with expert advice for free.

Many pharmacies even have private consultation rooms and are open in the evenings and weekends. Check with your local pharmacy for their opening hours.

Pharmacists can advise on how to treat the following:

  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) – Women between 16-64 years
  • Shingles Adults – Adults between 18 years and over
  • Impetigo (non-bullous) – Adults and children 1 year and over
  • Infected insect bites – Adults and children 1 year and over
  • Acute sore throat – Adults and children 5 years and over
  • Acute sinusitis – Adults and children 12 years and over
  • Acute otitis media – Children 1-17 years

If your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to see your GP instead.

To find your local pharmacy visit www.nhs.uk/chemist

Information from:

https://www.wirralccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/taking-care-of-yourself/

Chaperone

If appropriate a Clinician will offer you the opportunity for a chaperone to be present or you can request this service yourself.

Online British Sign Language interpreters are available for your appointments.

Merseyside Society for Deaf People has joined forces with SignVideo to provide British Sign Language Virtual Remote Interpreter Services (VRI) to Wirral GPs. The service is available 8:00 – 20:00 Monday to Friday and Saturday 9:00 – 16:30. The online service is useful for appointments where face-to-face Interpreters are not available.

Contact your GP surgery to request this service for your appointment.

Find out more: https://www.msdp.org.uk/

Cancelling your appointment

We understand that sometimes your circumstances might have changed and you may no longer be able to attend your appointment.

We ask for as much notice that you can give us so we can offer this appointment to another patient.

Please see below for the different ways to cancel your appointment:

  • Call us on 0151 327 1391 and select option 1, please ensure your telephone details are up-to-date otherwise the system won’t recognise you and you will be unable to cancel your appointment.  In this instance please phone reception who will be able to support you.
  • Via the NHS App

Extended Access

Your Healthier South Wirral surgeries are offering Extended Access appointments.

Appointments are now available during the evenings and at the weekend.

You will be offered an appointment at one of the two hubs located at:

  1. The Allport Surgery, 43 Bridle Road, Bromborough, Wirral CH62 6EE
  2. Sunlight Group Practice, Sefton Rd, New Ferry, Birkenhead, New Ferry CH62 5HS

Home Visits

Patients are requested, where possible, to telephone before 11:00am if a home visit is required that day.

All requests are triaged to ensure that apart from the genuinely housebound, all patients attend the surgery rather than request a home visit because of the extra time home visiting takes.

On average four to five patients can be seen in surgery in the time it takes to do a single house call. In addition, the care that can be offered due to the lack of adequate lighting, examination facilities and equipment means that you may not receive as good a service as the doctor may be able to offer if you came to the surgery.

House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.