Have your say…. about online GP services
The NHS North West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is seeking public views on online GP consultation services.
Online GP consultation services allow anyone registered with a GP practice to make contact with them via the internet. The service can be used for a variety of reasons, from non-urgent general medical advice for yourself or a child, requesting an appointment, seeking information and support with a long-term condition and administrative help including sick notes. To use the service, patients complete an online form via their GP practice website or through a mobile app. The practice then provides the most appropriate response, such as advice sent by text, email or online live chat, or a phone, video or face to face appointment.
This is now just one of the ways you can contact your GP surgery when you need them. The NHS continue to provide both face to face appointments as well as online services to ensure our patients can access their GP in the way that suits them.
The NHS will be working with local Healthwatch’s to engage with residents across North West London to help the NHS gain a better understanding of your views on online GP services. We want to hear from our patients and the public about what’s working, what doesn’t and how we can make it better so that our online services remain beneficial to those using them.
Professor Ian Goodman, Clinical Lead for Primary Care Digital Strategy, North West London CCG, said: “The pandemic shined a light on the importance of the NHS keeping up with the times and providing a service that is high quality both on and offline. It is our sole aim to always deliver care that is beneficial to our patients and the public. We’re really looking forward to having Healthwatch on-board with this important work and sharing their expertise on listening to the public through research and engagement.”
The ability to contact your GP online started a few years ago to help make accessing the surgery and your GP easier. During the Covid-19 pandemic, these services became especially important and allowed practices to effectively stay open and continue helping patients safely.
Have your say….
In order to gather your views, we have put together a survey that we ask you to complete and share with friends, family and neighbours who are registered at a GP surgery within the eight boroughs of North West London – Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster.
The survey can be found here. Please complete it so you can have your say and help us improve the service.
The survey will stay open for nine weeks; the closing date is Wednesday 5 January 2022.
Stay in touch….
If you have any questions about the survey or the work the NHS and Healthwatch are doing please feel free to get in touch via email: nhsnwlccg.ocsurvey@nhs.net.
You can also find our updates on Twitter @HealthierNWL, Facebook @staywellnwl and Instagram @NWLondonICS.
Media enquiries nhsnwlccg.media@nhs.net.
[ENDS]
Notes to editors
1. NHS North West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is a clinically led organisation responsible for planning, buying and monitoring most of the health services used by our residents.
Formed on 1 April 2021, the CCG covers the London boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.
For more information: www.nwlondonccg.nhs.uk/
