We are now using an online consultation service called eConsult. It can be accessed via our website on your computer, mobile or tablet device. This will allow you to get help or advice from your GP online and receive a response by the end of the next working day. This means no more time wasted queuing on the phone or sitting in the waiting area for your appointment.
Watch this video for more information about how eConsult works:
What are the benefits?
- Quick and easy to use
- Flexibility and convenience
- Check your symptoms online
- Access to self-help information 24/7
- Avoid unnecessary appointments, visits, or phone calls to the surgery
- See the right person based on your symptoms and help you need
How do I use eConsult and what happens after I submit the form?
- You will have the option to get general advice, help for a specific condition or an administrative request.
- Once a condition is chosen you can access self-help information, access local services and pharmacy advice, or get advice from your GP at the surgery.
- If selecting ‘treatment and advice from my GP’ 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. Please answer questions as accurately as you can so we can find the best way to help you.
- You will then complete the eConsult online form and provide your phone number and email address at the end.
Following this you will be emailed a confirmation of the consultation and the practice will respond to you by the end of the next working day (but maybe earlier). We may be able to deal with the issue immediately, or we may book a telephone, video or face-to-face consultation.
| When can I use eConsult? | You can use eConsult at the following times: Monday to Friday 07.30 to 12:00pm* for clinical enquiries and 07.30 – 15.00 for all routine admin queries *eConsult may close earlier depending on staff availability and capacity |
| What happens if I have more than one issue? | Please submit one eConsult per problem. This may mean you are submitting more than one eConsult. This will allow us to gather more accurate information to help you. |
| When will I get a response back? | You will receive a response back from the practice by the end of the next working day with a short update on what to expect next (e.g. a telephone or face-to-face appointment with a clinician, advice and/or treatment from a triaging GP, or an answer to your admin query). Please do NOT call the practice the same day for an appointment unless you have not heard back. |
| What about the Elderly and Vulnerable? | Elderly patients who have access to the internet can use the service, otherwise they can call the surgery as usual on the practice telephone number. |
| What about my Child? | Parents can submit an eConsult on behalf of their children if they are > 6 months. For children < 6 months please phone the surgery. |
| How old do I need to be to use eConsult? | You can submit your own eConsult once you are 16 years old. If you are aged 16-17, to submit an eConsult please click here and select the ‘For your child’ tab. If 18 or over submit your eConsult normally. If you are below 16 and wish to discuss an issue that your parents are not aware of, please phone the surgery to speak to reception. |
| But I need to be seen? | Your eConsult will be reviewed by you a clinician and if you need to be seen for a face-to-face appointment, you will be advised of this. This is a form of triaging we have adopted at the practice. Please click here for more information. |
| What happens if my condition is not listed on eConsult? | If your condition is not listed, please select the option ‘Ask about general symptoms….’ |
| Can I submit photos? | You may be asked to submit a photo with your eConsult to help us triage your case efficiently. However, please do not include photos of intimate areas – for example genitalia or breasts. See video below for further information on how to upload photos. |
| I submitted an online consultation but I have not heard back from the practice. | This should not happen but if it does and you have not heard back from the practice by the end of the next working day, please contact the surgery who will deal with this promptly or submit another eConsult. |
| I have an administrative request. | You can submit admin requests such as requesting a fit note (sick note), private referrals or letters, by clicking on the eConsult banner and selecting administrative requests. |
| Are online consultations safe? | If your symptoms sound very serious, the system has been built with the clinical knowledge to know that you may need help more quickly. In these cases, it will give you the option of stopping you from submitting your consultation and suggest that you seek urgent medical advice either by calling the GP, calling 111 if the practice is closed or 999 if it is a suspected life threatening emergency. If you continue submitting the eConsult it will be flagged as urgent automatically so that the triaging GP is made aware and will prioritise it. Online consultations should NOT be used for emergencies. For immediate life-threatening emergencies, call 999. If you feel you need to be seen urgently please contact the surgery by phone or call 111 if we are closed. |