Yesterday I met with Practice Manager Kirsten McKellar at Brooksby Medical Centre, Largs to discuss the challenges faced by the practice.
The meeting was both constructive and informative.
In December the administrative team, along with the nursing team were impacted by a virus which swept round the centre and resulted in significant staff absence.
The practice is working hard to ensure patient access to service is as efficient as possible and they understand patient frustration about the telephone system, a matter I have raised at Holyrood in relation to a number of surgeries.
They are currently working in partnership with NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Board to implement a new digital system in the coming months to improve efficiency and better meet the needs of patients.
This will allow patients to be informed where they are in a telephone queue. When the infrastructure work is completed, the practice will be one of the first in Ayrshire to receive the new system.
The practice is also now using an online service called eConsult, which can be accessed via their website and allows patients to get help or advice from their GP online and receive a response by the end of the next working day.
Each eConsult submission is reviewed by a GP. Patients who need to be seen for a face-to-face appointment will be advised of this by their doctor.
