Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
East Riding of Yorkshire Federation of GP Federations
As of Monday 4th November 2019 we will be offering Push Doctor appointments in the Improving Access Service. These appointments are virtual online appointments where you can speak to a doctor face-to-face without having to leave your home. These appointments are run via your smartphone or tablet with use of a webcam/camera.
Please speak to your registered GP practice to find out more information or visit the Push Doctor website.
Patients will be able to book appointments through their practice either by telephone or in person. All appointments are to be offered on an equal basis. These appointments are pre-bookable, with some on-the-day appointments also available. The appointments are for routine primary care – they are not out-of-hours, urgent care or minor injuries.
Patients may opt for an appointment which requires them to attend their consultation at another practice or location, and may be seen by someone who is not their regular doctor. They can be seen anywhere that is convenient for them – for example if a patient lives in Goole but works in Beverley, they may want an appointment in Beverley after work. In the new service arrangements, they will be able to have it.
The East Riding of Yorkshire Federation of GP Federations (Fed of Feds) is a collaborative forum of the local GP federations, informal groupings and unaligned practices, that aims to increase collaboration for the benefit of all practices across the East Riding of Yorkshire CCG area.
The member federations and informal groupings currently named within the Terms of Reference are:
The Fed of Feds group leadership is actively working towards helping general practice in the region to maintain a locally delivered model of Primary Care, including improving access for patients. This includes early mornings (before 8am Monday to Friday), late evenings (after 6.30pm Monday to Friday); Saturday and Sunday mornings 9am– 1pm.
Clinical Commissioning Groups across the country have been mandated to have improved access in place by 1 October 2018. The service will be available to all patients living in the East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (ERY CCG) area, across the four localities of SWAN (Goole, Howden, Brough and Hessle); CHERY (Beverley, Driffield and Cottingham area); Holderness (Hedon, Withernsea and Hornsea area) and Bridlington.
If I attend an appointment at a new location, can this GP view my records?
Yes. You will be asked to give your consent for your record to be shared with the person who carries out your consultation. If you do not want your record to be shared in this way, you will not be able to book and appointment in the Improving Access service.
How will this appointment be made available to my usual GP?
The person who you see for your appointment will be able to enter all the details about the consultation into your record using the IT system. Your own GP will be able to follow up your consultation if necessary.
If my usual surgery uses ‘triage’ method, how will this fit in?
Improving Access is the same as your regular GP service – it is routine primary care. You may find that you go through the usual triage process with your practice Care Navigator before being offered an appointment to make sure that you see the right person for your needs.
Will I be able to book other additional services e.g. blood testing, inoculations, sexual health, nurse appointments?
Yes. You will be able to book an appointment with a GP, a nurse or a healthcare assistant for most of the routine procedures that you would expect from your practice.
How far in advance can I book?
You will be able to book appointments up to six weeks in advance.
Can I request to see my usual GP? Or for religious reasons, can I request male/female GP?
You can request to see a male or female clinician. However, your appointment may not be with your usual GP. If you would prefer to see your usual GP, you will need to let the receptionist know at the time of booking.
Will pharmacies be open accordingly, especially those within GP surgeries?
Practice dispensaries may not be open during the improving access hours. If you are given a prescription you may need to have this filled at a local community pharmacy.
Can I see my usual GP at a new location or if I can only access my usual location?
While it is possible that you may see your usual GP for an appointment at an alternative location to your registered practice, this is unlikely and will depend on the staffing schedule. If you wish to see your own GP, you will need to book that appointment at your registered practice.
Can I do drop in/same day appointments?
While this is not a drop-in or walk-in service, there will be some on-the-day appointments available for people who need them.
Will there be a priority system e.g. if I work during usual GP hours?
No. All appointments in the service are available to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis.
My GP usual provides home visits, how will this work?
It will not be possible to offer home visits in the Improving Access service.
What if I am running late to my appointment?
Should you arrive late for your appointment it will be at the discretion of the clinician whether they are able to see you or not.
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