06/09/10 - Choose and Book - more information

The Practice has introduced a system allowing patients choice in referrals to specialist services.

Allowing patients a choice of hospitals/consultants is part of the Government's plan for the NHS. With Choose and Book, if the doctor decides to refer you to a hospital for examination, tests or consultation, you will be given a list of providers, from which you can choose the one that is most suitable or convenient. Under the old system, the GP sent a referral letter to the hospital, which then contacted you in due course to offer you an appointment. With Choose and Book, the system allows you to contact the provider by telephone and make the booking yourself.

06/09/10 - Direct access physio service

A direct access phsiotherapy service is available in Darlington.

The service is a collaboration between the Physiotherapy Department at the Memorial Hospital and three GP Practices in the town. Instead of having to make an appointment with their GP and then being referred for physio treatment, patients can ring the physio department directly and get advice on the telephone. If necessary, the physiotherapist will arrange an appointment for an assessment or treatment.

For more information, see the leaflets in the surgery or ring Reception for the direct access telephone number.

06/09/10 - Patient arrival self-check-in facility

Patients arriving for appointments will be able to check in themselves.

Patients will be able to use a touch-screen near the front door to register their arrival. Those who prefer to check in with the receptionist can still do so, but the touch-screen facility will avoid having to queue at the front desk and will leave the receptionist free to deal with patient queries.

The new facility also enables us to send customised messages to individual patients or particular groups of patients - for example, to remind those over 65 to book an appointment for a flu injection, or to ask a patient to call at the reception desk.

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