GP surgery urges patients to utilise online bookings

Company news

Jul 21, 2014

A Southend doctors’ surgery is encouraging more patients to take advantage of its online booking facility after the latest national GP Patient Survey results published this week reveal a third of patients would like to book online, yet only 4.5 per cent actually do.

St Luke’s Health Centre in Pantile Avenue, houses an NHS walk-in centre but also a registered GP practice with 6,250 patients. It is run on behalf of the local NHS by independent sector health and social care provider, Care UK.

Lorna Salmon, practice manager at the centre, said: “The national GP Patient Survey findings make for very interesting reading from our perspective. Six months ago, we introduced an online facility to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions. We also send texts confirming online appointments and reminding patients 24 hours prior to the appointment. In addition, people can cancel appointments online.

“As well as being a very convenient option for patients, we have noticed a considerable decrease in the number of people not attending without cancelling appointments, or DNAs (did not attends) as we refer to them. We have seen a decrease in DNAs since this service was introduced.

“It’s interesting that the GP Patient Survey shows so many patients would like to book online. This facility is available to patients already registered with us and those who might wish to register with the practice. Registered patients need to contact reception in person to be issued a username and password to use the online booking system.”

St Luke’s Health Centre is open 8am-8pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year for walk-in patients with a minor injury or minor illness and for registered patients to book appointments.