A new online service could revolutionise the way patients across Hull and East Riding get medical advice from their GP.
NHS Hull CCG and the East Riding of Yorkshire CCG are using digital technology to bring choice to patients who want to consult online, in many cases avoiding the need to make a visit to the practice altogether.
21 practices in Hull and 12 in the East Riding are trialling the service for 15 months. It comes after both CCGs successfully applied for funding from NHS England.
Patients who submit their symptoms online will get a response typically within 1-2 working days which could be advice, directed to other support such as the pharmacy or booked in for an appointment if necessary. The service also offers around the clock NHS self-help information, signposting to services, and a symptom checker. Patients can also request prescriptions and test results, referral letters and medical reports.
Alex Seale, Director of Commissioning and Transformation at the East Riding of Yorkshire CCG said “This is good news for patients who can choose to use the service and get quicker access to health advice. GPs see the people who need their help most which could lead to shorter waiting times. It’s early days yet but so far results are encouraging and we’re hoping to see more people using the online service in the future.”
Amy, Urgent Care Practitioner at Faith House Surgery in Hull said “We know that eConsult won’t be for everyone and it’s a cultural shift in how we access health services, but it offers a convenient choice for people saving time off work and a journey into the practice. Patients can now get advice and help much more quickly than they would if they waited for an appointment, which may not have been necessary in the first place.”
Mike, a patient from Hull said, “I’ve found consulting with a GP online really encouraging. I’ve used it twice now and each time with a positive outcome. As promised, I received a call back the next working day from someone at the practice. Not only does it save me time, it saves me from having to make an appointment, thereby saving the appointment for another patient, whose needs might be far greater. The system can be used at any time of the day, it’s well laid out online and very easy to use. I would have no hesitation in recommending its use – it is clearly the way forward.”
To use eConsult patients simply visit their own GP Practice website.
For more information visit www.hullccg.nhs.uk or www.eastridingofyorkshireccg.nhs.uk
Practices with eConsult:
Hull
The Avenues Medical Centre, http://www.theavenuesmedicalcentre.co.uk/
The Calvert Practice, http://www.calvertpractice.co.uk/
East Park Practice http://eastparkpractice.nhs.uk/
Field View Surgery, http://www.fieldviewsurgery.nhs.uk/
Faith House Surgery, http://www.faithhousesurgery.nhs.uk/
Hastings Medical Centre, http://www.hastingsmedical.nhs.uk/
Haxby Group http://www.haxbygroup.co.uk/
Kingston Medical Centre, http://www.kingstonmedicalcentre.co.uk/
Marfleet Lane Surgery, http://www.marfleetlanesurgery.co.uk/
New Hall Surgery, http://www.newhallsurgeryhull.nhs.uk/
Newington Health Care Centre
Newland Health Centre, http://www.newlandhealthcentre-hull.nhs.uk
Newland Group, http://www.newlandgroupmedicalpractice.co.uk/
The Oaks Medical Centre http://www.theoaksmedicalcentre.co.uk/
The Quays Practice, http://www.thequayshull.co.uk/
Riverside Medical Centre, http://www.riversidemedicalhull.co.uk/
Southcoates Medical Centre, http://www.southcoatesmedicalcentre.co.uk/
Springhead Medical Centre, http://www.springheadmedical.nhs.uk/
St Andrews Group http://www.standrewssurgery-hull.nhs.uk/
St Andrews Group – Newington http://www.newingtonhealthcarecentre.co.uk/
Story Street Medical Practice http://www.storystreetmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/
East Riding of Yorkshire
Church View Surgery, Hedon and Keyingham www.churchviewsurgery.com
Eastgate Medical Group, Hornsea and Aldbrough www.eastgate-medical.info
Field House Surgery, Bridlington and Flamborough www.fieldhousesurgery.nhs.uk
Dr Harris and Partners, Bridlington www.drharrisandpartners.nhs.uk
Hedon Group Practice, Hedon and Keyingham www.hedongrouppractice.co.uk
Greengates Group (includes Cottingham Medical Centre, Walkergate, Greenwood Avenue and Minstergate)http://www.greenwoodavenuesurgery.nhs.uk/
Leven and Beeford Practice www.levenandbeefordmedicalpractice.nhs.uk
The Park Surgery, Driffield & Nafferton www.theparksurgerydriffield.nhs.uk
The Ridings Medical Group, Brough, South Cave, Little Weighton, Bubwith, Holme on Spalding Moor www.theridingsmedicalgroup.nhs.uk
Snaith and Rawcliffe Medical Group, Butt Lane and Station Road, Goole www.themarshessurgery.co.uk
South Holderness Medical Practice, Withernsea, Roos and Patrington www.withernseadoctors.co.uk
Wolds View Surgery, Bridlington www.woldsviewppc.co.uk
