eConsult

Dear Patients,

Due to current high levels of demand, our eConsult service will be open from 7.30am and will turn off when we reach a pre-determined number of submissions.

The practice is still available for urgent matters that cannot wait for another day. Please consider speaking to your pharmacist or NHS 111 for advice or attending Ripley Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre if appropriate.

All requests are assessed by senior GP triage to help us manage urgent care effectively as we can. Please be assured that if the clinician feels you need a face to face appointment this will be arranged.

Want to receive advice and help from a GP without having to leave the house?

eConsult can be accessed via the surgery’s website, or by clicking here.

This will allow patients to access help or advice from a GP online and get a response back by the end of the next working day.

The service is unavailable during weekends and bank holidays.

Patients will have the option to seek general advice or help for a specific condition or an administrative request such as requesting a fit note. Patients will be able to access self-help information, access local services, get pharmacy advice or get advice from their GP.

So what do I have to do as a patient to access eConsult and what happens after I submit the form?

You will be able to click on the eConsult Tile on the practice website or on any of the links added to most pages, with the option to get general advice or help for a specific condition or administrative request.
You will then select help for a condition via a range of options – type to search, A-Z list or by body area.
Once a condition is chosen, you can access self-help information, access local services and pharmacy advice, or get advice from a GP at the surgery.
If selecting ‘treatment and advice from my GP’ then you will be directed to complete an online form about your symptoms. You will need to confirm that you do not have any symptoms that require immediate or urgent care.
You will then complete the eConsult online form and provide your phone number and email address at the end of the consultation.

You will then be emailed a confirmation of the consultation and will be informed that the practice will respond to you by the end of the next working day at the latest. Please check your junk mail folder for confirmation of the consultation and the subsequent response from the surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions for Patients

QUESTIONS	ANSWERS
When will I get a response back	We endeavour to complete a same day response however you should receive a response by the end of the next working day (excluding weekends and bank holidays) if this isn’t possible.
I don’t have access to the Internet	Not a problem, a receptionist can go through the eConsult over the phone using the eConsult lite template.
What about my Child	You can select ‘I want help for my child’ option.
But I need to be seen? But I need to be seen today as an emergency?	Your eConsult will be reviewed by a clinician and if you need to be seen you will be given an appointment. eConsult will flag up whether you need an urgent face to face appointment.
I completed an eConsult and I was advised to contact the practice for an Urgent appointment?	This happens when a patient reports symptoms that suggest they are too unwell for the eConsult system.
I completed an eConsult, but I have not heard back from the practice.	We will check to see if someone has tried to contact you.
I have an administrative request.	Complete an eConsult selecting ‘I want administrative help’. This will be picked up and handled within the practice time frame.

eConsult also works with the NHS App

Use the NHS App to:

Order repeat prescriptions
Book appointments
Check your symptoms
View your medical record
Register to be an organ donor
Find out how the NHS uses your data
Consult a GP or health professional through an online form and get a reply (eConsult)

For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-app/