Canonbie surgery

A CONFIDENTIAL online consultation service giving patients another way to access support is being launched at Canonbie medical practice next Wednesday, August 12.

e-Consult will enable patients to seek help and support from their own home at a time convenient to them.

Practice managers, Peter and Janet Sabuldihin, said: “Registered patients can access this service from our surgery website and asked to complete some details about the problem they have and sort of help they think they might need.

“As the lockdown eases, physical distancing measures are vital to prevent a second wave of the virus.

“With more people requesting help with their health care needs, this is an essential, convenient and time-efficient way to interact with the practice.

“This will be used alongside the current phone and video consultations already in place which have worked well.”

The new service will give general advice about common medical conditions as well as coronavirus.

On e-Consult, a registered patient can request sick lines, medical reports and other administrative work required.

Patients can describe their health concern without time pressures, indicating what they are concerned about.

Photos of rashes taken using a phone, iPad, etc can be added easily, aiding the clinician with their assessment.

Practice staff will respond to each online request by the end of the next working day and arrange for the most appropriate support to be provided.

Although options such as face-to-face appointments may be restricted because of the virus, e-Consult is intended as another means of contact rather than a replacement.

The practice is aware that during lockdown people have used the internet and email more to communicate with the surgery and this has worked really well.

The new system has been designed to help reintroduce some more routine medical care electronically as we come out of lockdown gradually and keep waiting times for appointments to a minimum.

Peter and Janet added: “We hope this enhances the ‘new normal’ service we are providing to our patients.

“The team are aware that not everyone will have access to the technology needed to access e-Consult but if those, who can do so, this will improve the overall efficiency of the phone service.”

The practice will write to all registered patients with more information.

For more details go to www.canonbiesurgery.co.uk