Contact your GP Surgery Online
Monday 03 June 2019
GP practices across Newcastle and Gateshead are offering different ways to help patients, one of which is online. Patients can now order prescriptions, book appointments and gradually will be able to see their records and results. As part of this many practices are now offering online consultations.
Many patients can go onto their practice website and click on the link to online consultations. There they can access safe and efficient advice for their health conditions, as well as being able to submit a query to their GP and receive a response by the end of the next working day. eConsult is the online consultation tool and it is now live in many practices across Newcastle and Gateshead with more to follow. Online consultations are offered as part of the options and will not replace traditional access.
There is a lot of information available, including a symptom checker (self-help guides and videos about common conditions), pharmacy advice, link to NHS 111 and the opportunity to seek advice and treatment. The system allows people to submit a message which is managed during surgery opening hours.
Dr Mark Dornan, Clinical Chair, NHS Newcastle Gateshead CCG said, “Recent years have seen rapid development in the number of online consultation systems helping patients to connect with their practice in a new way.
“It’s not for everyone but our aim is to offer increased choice and accessibility. For many patients online consultations offer a quick and convenient way to access health advice without having to take time away from work or home to see a GP face to face.”
Online consultations also free up time for GPs and other health professionals, allowing them to spend more time managing patients with increasingly complex needs.
Visit your practice website for further details or ask at your practice reception.
You can learn more about the service by watching these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJHtnPXlXto&feature=youtu.be