Islanders are being made aware that a range of routine primary care appointments are now available most evenings during the week and in the mornings on Saturdays across the Isle of Wight, thanks to a government-led initiative.
The appointments that are available are with a range of healthcare professionals including GPs, practice nurses, healthcare assistants and clinical specialists.
Healthwatch Isle of Wight found in a recent survey that 24% of people have to wait over 2 weeks for an appointment with their GP, so they welcome this opportunity for Isle of Wight residents to have more opportunities to access the health care they need.
Jason McLean, Practice Manager from Shanklin Medical Centre says:
“We are very keen to ensure that all patients are aware of this service as it gives them another access option to sit alongside their own GP practice appointments and, where available eConsult. Feedback from patients using the service has been overwhelmingly positive. From April 2018, Shanklin Medical Centre have provided 1288 appointments between 6.30 – 8pm with a mixture of GPs, Nurses and Health Care Assistants.”
Patrick Legg, Practice Manager from Tower House in Ryde is very happy with how the service has grown over the last year:
“In our first year of operating this pilot we have offered a total of 5161 additional appointments: 2669 GP appointments, 964 Health Care Assistant appointments, 386 advanced nurse practitioner appointments and 571 practice nurse appointments. We have 75 staff regularly working across the island to help in deliver the appointments.
“The appointments have been very well received by both patients and GP practices, with the feedback being overwhelmingly positive”.
Article continues below this advertisement
When and where:
Advanced access appointments are currently held as follows:
Monday-Thursday – 18:30-20:00 at Shanklin Medical Centre
Wednesday and Thursday – 18:30-20:00 at Sandown Medical Centre
Saturday morning appointments are available at Tower House Surgery in Ryde, Sandown Medical Centre and Carisbrooke Health Centre.
How to access them:
These appointments are available for all Isle of Wight residents to attend, you do not need to be registered with these surgeries to access the appointments and they are bookable up to 7 days in advance by contacting the GP practice you are registered with. They are able to book you an appointment.
What is eConsult:
In addition to these additional appointments, the following surgeries are also offering eConsult, which is an online triage and consultation tool. Already established, it gives patients access to self-help, allowing them to complete administrative tasks such as requesting a sick/fit note remotely and making it easier for GPs to assess what medical care the patient needs.
Who offers eConsult:
Currently 6 GP Practices on the Isle of Wight are using the eConsult system: Beech Grove Surgery, Esplanade Surgery, Sandown Health Centre, Shanklin Medical Centre, South Wight Medical Centre and West Wight Medical Centre. You can access this service by going on to the GP surgery website.
