GP triage gets thumbs up from staff

A project that places GPs in the control rooms has been given the thumbs up by members of staff.

GPs advice is available across the region to give crews additional guidance for admission avoidance and more appropriate pathways for the patient. The GP can help get patients to see other healthcare professionals and the crew can leave them at home.

This is a joint project with our commissioners, who have agreed to provide additional funding as part of our 2015/16 CQUIN scheme to explore the benefits this can offer to patients and the wider healthcare system.

Since the start of the scheme, we have seen up to 90% of the calls to the GP enhanced triage line deferred from A&E. The majority of these calls have been referred to their own GP, with the second highest number being referred to out of hours.

Some of the comments made by members of staff about the service include:

“It was very easy to get through to the GP”

“Speaking to the GP gave us confidence in our finding that the patient did not need to go to A&E”

“My experience was very good with the GP”.

If you need to speak to a GP to get advice, please contact 01603 269897.

Published 14th January, 2016