Access to Appointments
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a huge strain on the NHS and impacted how the public access health services. Good access is important to all of us, but it definitely feels like expectations are higher than ever, which is understandable considering the experience we’ve all just been through.
The wide range of physical and mental health needs are being met by a growing team of multi-disciplinary professionals including social prescribers. Like others we’ve had our fair share of COVID-19.
Having adapted our ways of working through the many phases of the pandemic we are wanting to take the best innovations from the past two years and get back to some sort of normal again. This includes getting the balance of pre-bookable vs urgent appointments right as well as telephone vs video vs face-to face appointments. We are working hard to improve things and continually reviewing our service. It will help us and others if you can please take advantage of the cancellation option which is only available if you have a smartphone, when you find yourself unable to attend a pre-booked appointment.
The run of bank holidays which we’ve all enjoyed has also had an impact on access. The triage service for problems that need ‘on the day’ responses continues to grow and relies mainly on GPs since our Paramedic moved away. We are actively recruiting more GPs and nurses, which will in turn make us more resilient whilst we also plan for the summer holiday period.
The digital advances have been phenomenal, but we are and always will be a people service, relying on professionals who take huge responsibilities in their decisions and interactions with their patients. Ensuring safe working conditions despite the growing pressure is essential to maintain high quality personalised care.
We are grateful for constructive feedback whilst we work through the challenges together.
Support for those who are struggling with their mental health
Over the past two years we have put in place a number of additional services supported by our Primary Care Network, to help those experiencing mental health issues:
We now have a Registered Mental Health Nurse working with our Duty Team, Paul Johnston and he is available for patients who are in crisis. Please call Reception on the day and you will be triaged to Paul’s next clinic.
For those aged 18 and above, we have a Health & Well-being Coach for Mental Health – Lisa Hollins.
For those Under 25 years, Hannah Barrow has recently started with us to provide a Youth Mentoring service.
Andover MIND provide access to a range of services across Hampshire. These include a web chat service. The new on-line chat service provides another way to get in touch with the service. The chat is open on weekdays between 09:30 to 16:30 hrs. They have a dedicated team waiting to offer advice, support and information for all their services.
To access the web chat click on the small pop-up in the bottom left of:
The site also helps those where English is not their first spoken language to use programmes such as Google Translate to chat. Andover MIND supports patients with mental ill health as well as adult carers, who care for an adult and people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
We also have Eva Alvarez-Ruis, Mental Health Support Worker who provides a telephone clinic at Watership Down Health for those who do not wish to use IT means.
Wearing Face Masks
Notwithstanding any recent publicity please continue to wear a face mask when attending any of our surgeries, unless you have a valid exemption in place. We are continuing to protect our most vulnerable and unwell patients and ask that you respect that the anxiety levels of the most vulnerable are still high. Our staff are required to wear masks at all times.
Covid Vaccination Programme Update
The vaccination programme is now solely located at:
- Festival place, Basingstoke, RG21 7BA
- Open 7 days a week 1100-1700.
- Walks in welcome for >12 years old
- The site is open for all doses (no AZ by walk in)
- Bookable by NBS (119 or https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/) and by texts from your practice
- 5-11 year old patients are only by appointment
- There is FREE PARKING for all patients who have a vaccination at Festival Place