HOLSWORTHY Medical Centre has a new appointments system, writes Christine Williams.

The system was introduced on Monday, September 5. There will be no change in the way patients can book routine appointments up to six weeks in advance with their GPs, nor for routine appointments with the nursing team for dressings, minor injuries, bloods, injections etc.

However patients requesting urgent appointments will all now be referred to the ‘On the Day Team’, which consists of a duty doctor, the nurse practitioners and the clinical pharmacist.

To ensure they will be seen by the best person they will be asked for their name and address, to describe briefly the nature of their medical problem, to say how long they have had it and whether it has worsened recently.

This information will be added to their appointment slot so that the On the Day Team can ensure they are seen by the right person.

A patient can decline to give these details, in which case it will not be possible to say who they will be seen by.

Practice manager Jane Wells said: “We are aware that, as with any new system, small changes may need to be made to help our patients and staff, so please feel free to give us your comments about it.”