West Malling Group (GP) Practice Improved Access
NHS England is overhauling the way out- of-hours services are funded and delivered across the country.
The new approach, dubbed ‘8-8 service’, is expected to be rolled out nationally between now and March 2019. This will enviably impact West Malling Group Practice (WMGP) which has already been increasing its hours and utilising all the surgeries in its cluster - Thornhills, Snodland, Wateringbury, Phoenix and West Malling. Until now, WMGP’s extended opening hours have covered an average of just over 10 hours a week - offering a selection of early appointments 7.30am-8.00am Tuesday-Friday, Monday evening at Kings Hill 6.30pm-8.00pm and adhoc Saturdays 9.00am-1.00pm. However, the national NHS England changes require WMGP to extend its out-of-hours service to an average of 19 hours a week. In association with Snodland and Thornhills practices, clinical staff at WMGP will shortly be able to offer appointments every night of the week until 8.00pm and every Saturday as part of its ‘improved access’ scheme. Patients can book all appointments through the patient service team and will be referred to one of the three surgeries depending on availability.
There will also be facilities to access Sunday appointments in central Maidstone. The ‘go live’ date for this is yet to be confirmed.
Flu Clinics
A record number of patients (1,200) attended the first of two flu clinics on October 20. The second, a morning-only clinic on October 27, attracted a further 300.
Due to a national shortage of vaccine, the high demand meant some patients will have to return for their jabs - alternative appointments have already been booked for them.
Many thanks to the Patient Participation Group and Kings Hill Active Retirement Association for supporting the clinics, and to the nurses and staff who gave the injections.
Breast Cancer Awareness The Patient Participation Group is working with one of the practice partners to set up an evening breast cancer talk for women and men. The date, time and place will be announced soon – so watch this space.
Text Service
Less than a year after setting up the service, 70 per cent of patients are now registered to receive texts from WMGP. In
addition to appointment reminders, the way the practice uses the software will be developed to allow more information to be sent to patients by text. All reminder replies are coded, so patients cancelling an appointment by text removes the appointment automatically from the diary system.
At present, this software is not available for ‘improved access’ and appointments at neighbouring practices - it only works for the standard appointments available at WMGP. Please make sure the surgery has your up- to-date mobile number next time you call, so you can get texts. This helps to reduce pressure on surgery phone lines.
My GP App
The My GP app is part of the text messaging software. WMGP will start using this app to arrange appointments for rheumatoid arthritis and asthma annual reviews. Those without access to the app will still get a letter or call from the practice to book an appointment.
Don’t Call Us………. We’ll Call You WMGP has been trialling a scheme to call patients rather than send them a letter asking “please call us to book….” This has proved really effective and staff like the personal touch it gives patients.
Join this year’s
Christmas Lights Festival in West Malling
Sunday, December 2 Noon – 5pm.
This High Street event is free and family friendly with live entertainment on stage, Santa’s Grotto, trampoline and carousel, shopping, stalls, crafts and food and drink. It is organised by Heart of Kent Hospice
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
