Survey launched for views on Shropshire GP surgeries
A survey has been launched for residents to have their say on changes to GP practices in Shropshire.
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning groups (CCGs) are asking residents for their views to help plan longer opening hours for GP practices.
The CCGs are preparing plans for all patients to be able to book a regular, routine appointment at a GP practice from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, as well as weekends and bank holidays.
These appointments would be with a GP, nurse or other clinicians, for example a clinical pharmacist.
They may not be at a patient’s own practice, but one nearby and will just be for routine or same-day, pre-bookable appointments, not for urgent or emergency appointments.
The GP Extended Access Survey is confidential and has 11 multi-choice questions.
The survey also checks how far people would be prepared to travel to appointments and if they would be interested in using different methods for appointments such as Skype.
Dr Stephen James, clinical director for primary care speaking on behalf of both Shropshire CCG and Telford and Wrekin CCG in this joint project, urged people to complete a survey.
He said: “We will use the findings of the survey to help shape and plan the service so it’s important that people take just take a few minutes to give us some feedback and ideas.
“The patient survey is looking at people’s preferred days and times for appointment over the evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
“We are also looking at practices working in groups, or hubs, so although every practice would not be open for the extended hours, people would not have far to travel to the nearest practice providing this service.”
To take part in the survey visit https://tinyurl.com/Extended-Access-Survey
The survey opened yesterday, and closes on May 25 at 5pm.
It is open to all patients over 16 registered with a practice listed with Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin CCGs.
If you need help completing the survey, or need a paper copy, for Telford patients contact - Sharon Smith, Patient Engagement Lead, on 01952 580478 or email Sharon.smith90@nhs.net, or for Shropshire patients – Phil Morgan, Primary Care Manager, on 01743 277500 or email philip.morgan3@nhs.net
