Appointments

You can book an appointment by:

• Using the Secure Online Consulting Platform or via the use of your NHS App
  We would advise all patients to use the online system as much as possible to minimise delays and to ensure that we are able to triage all requests effectively.
• Speaking to a receptionist, in-person, at the surgery reception during normal reception opening hours. This will still involve the use of the online consulting system with all requests triaged.
• As a last resort and for patients who aren’t able to use the online consulting platform, the care navigator will fill our a triage form for you over the phone and liaise with the duty doctor to advise on an appropriate form. Please reserve this service for those who are genuinely not able to access the internet.
• All house visits must be arranged by 10am

Getting you the RIGHT help  FIRST time!

Our Online Consulting platform allows you:

1. To seek self-help information from the NHS, through our surgery website. Services include self-help information, advice or help from local services which may be appropriate for your condition, such as self-referral services or help from your local pharmacy.
2. To seek medical advice online from Wigton Group Medical Practice for your condition.
3. To seek general or administrative advice (e.g. for fit-notes, referrals, secure messaging to admin and reception staff, etc).
4. Request repeat medication. We always recommend patients to use the NHS APP to request repeat medications but when this is not possible (e.g. requesting medications on behalf of children), you can phone the dedicated prescription line on 016973 44668 (available 24/7)

Why use Online Consulting?

• Since July 2020, General Practice in the UK has faced unprecedented demand (up to 40% more than pre-Covid levels). This demand has increased even further since the easing of lockdown in in Spring 2021. The ongoing GP retention and recruitment crisis has meant that the number of GPs in the workforce has not increased to meet the extra demand so tools such as online consulting are essential to ensure safe and efficient prioritisation of patients’ needs. Online consulting allows clinicians to gather as much information from patients as possible so that safe and appropriate management can then be planned.

• Another key benefit of Online Consulting is the convenience it offers you as our patient – meaning you can ask for advice from us without having to queue on the phone or wait weeks for an appointment which may not actually be required. You can complete the Online Consulting Form from the comfort of your own home, on a break at work, or on the train home.

• Queries can be clinical or administrative in nature, and in many cases, we may not need to see you face-to-face meaning those that really need to see a GP face-to-face are more able to do so.

• If you decide you want to manage your condition without contacting Wigton Group Medical Practice, our Online Consulting Platform can guide you towards trusted medical advice as well as relevant local services, such as pharmacy support, which may be more appropriate than visiting the surgery.

Our Online Consulting Platform should not be used for emergencies.

Please note that the online consultation link/secure messaging is  only managed between 8AM and 5.00PM on weekdays (excluding Bank Holidays).  Although available for you to complete out of our normal hours we will only view the online consult between the managed hours.

Our experienced care navigators have been trained in how to coordinate the care of  patients in the most effective and efficient way to ensure patients get the right clinician first time.

We have a vast array of specialist staff on hand, from first contact musculoskeletal specialists, first contact mental health practitioners, advanced clinical practitioners, GPs, Practice Nurses and Living well coaches. In order to direct you to the correct service, our care navigators need to know  brief details of your problem so that this can be discussed with the triaging duty doctor.  This can also be achieved by filling in the online consultation form with as much detail as possible or responding to any questions that the care navigator team may ask of you over the phone.

If we don’t have enough information, we simply won’t be able to give you optimal care and this may delay your care.