Since changing surgeries, a whole fresh medical world has opened up for me on the NHS app, proving to be highly useful. Before, all I could do was order repeat prescriptions but now I can book appointments, setting my own time and day. Moreover, I just registered with Patience Knows Best which is a part of the app that gives me access to my medical records and test results. I’ve been able to go through my test results from last November and see which results are in range and which are low. Out of thirty tested units, only two are below par, one being a result of anti-platelet medication and the other that my albumin levels are under, so I need to up my protein intake. I also have access to all the medication I’ve been prescribed. I can see that more information will be added over time as records update individual apps.
My GP rarely had time to go through each one of my test results but now I can do it myself. This app makes for a more holistic way of managing my brain and body from my end and, thus, making it possible for me to take specific , empirical concerns or queries back to my GP for discussion.
We have the same access on the NHS app……although I’m not able to book appointments on it yet. I check all my test results, consultation details & referrals in the app. I find it very useful.
I think booking of appointments is relative to each surgery because my last surgery was a mess when it came to booking appointments, right down to the awful, tinny, stressful, guitar screeching, on hold music they haven’t changed in fifteen years, probably more. However, as soon as I changed surgeries, that option became available to me.
Oh yes the wonderful on hold music. It’s very rare you get any decent on hold music.
For appointments at my surgery we have to fill in an online form and they get triaged and you’re offered an appoint ent based on priority. I had an appointment on Saturday as part of the Enhanced Access Service (which was new to me) and it was at a different surgery to mine although still local. I was a bit sceptical but it worked well.
Well, at my last surgery, you had to be on the phone at 8 am (I am not even conscious at 8 am) but if perchance I woke up early I’d make the call and sit in a queue of about ten people while listening to nerve shattering guitar riffs, then I would reach a receptionist that would politely tell me that there was an available appointment in about three weeks but I had to call back again a few days later at 8 am to actually book the available appointment. It was so infuriating, I ended up relying on 111 more than my GP. It has been shown that classical music relaxes and calms a nervous or distressed mind, I simply can’t fathom how they chose their on hold music. It makes no sense from a health perspective.
I try to, being that I am a Xennial, although also drawn backwards to the not so distance past. I have started sending postcards to an artist friend in the next town. It amuses him no end to receive them but to be frank, he doesn’t own a mobile phone, so he’s right on my wavelength with that kind of communication.
We had that same system until very recently. I think I prefer the online form. At least it can be filled in at a time convenient to you. I have to admit I used to get my hubby to drive me to the surgery so I could make an appointment via the reception desk.
I love hhat you send postcards to your artist friend. I used to send postcards all the time. It’s a dying art now.
I have to phone or send a PATCH request at 8 am and they close it around 9am. They then call you back and give you a same day appointment usually, no matter how inconvenient but they informed me thats how it works. Last week i needed an Xray arranging, a locum GP i saw there had recommended it a couple of weeks ago and i wanted time to think it over. I had some dental Xrays taken meanwhile and they weren’t very enlightening so I requested to be rereferred for my Xray. But once you mention the word Dentist or Dental on patchs it denies the request and flags you to your dentist. I had to rewrite a new patchs request explaining that a professional that Patchs does not let me refer to had done some xrays that had not helped and could they refer me to the walk- in X ray Clinic near here as offered originally . Got there in the end… thanks for reading this long explanation! , Do other people find tech has suddenly got even less user friendly?
