Care Navigation

 

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Patients may be asked to explain briefly what the problem is when they ring Amherst to book a GP appointment. Under NHS care navigation – or signposting – we aim to provide the most appropriate service

The receptionist at Amherst might suggest other professionals who could be more helpful to patients, depending on their needs. For example, the pharmacist; a counsellor; support for older people; carer support; mental health support; or support to become healthier and more active.

Amherst receptionists and clerical staff are trained to help patients by identifying the most relevant care. Through this specialist training, our practice team will be able to direct patients to the health clinician best suited to their needs.

Receptionists will never offer clinical advice or triage; this new way of working is about offering the choice to see a more appropriate professional in the practice team, or perhaps somewhere else. If different medical professional can deal with your problem directly, it will often be quicker and may not need a GP apppointment at all.

This policy helps to free up time for GPs to care for patients with more complex or serious health conditions that can be managed only by the GP. More importantly, though, it means people are seen by the clinician best placed to manage their clinical problem.

The choice is always the patient’s, though, and a GP appointment will never be refused – but next time you contact the Practice and speak to the receptionist, please consider the value of seeing an alternative health professional if they are better able to help.

For more information please contact a member of our practice team.