HEALTH bosses at Worcester City Primary Care Network have debuted new websites for several city GP practices in a bid to improve access for patients.
The new sites have been designed to allow patients find the information they need at the touch of a button – with Severn Valley Medical Practice, consisting of Lyppard Grange and Henwick Halt Medical Centres, volunteering to be the first to launch.
Other practices signed up to the digital access scheme which is run in partnership between Worcester City Primary Care Network and SW Healthcare include St John’s House Medical Centre, Thorneloe Lodge Surgery, Spring Gardens Group Medical Practice, Barbourne Health Centre, St Martin’s Gate Surgery and Elbury Moor Medical Centre.
Sarah Payne, practice manager at Severn Valley Medical Practice, said: “We don’t intend for digital platforms to ever replace our phone lines – but by making it easier for patients to request appointments, order prescriptions, and access other information online, we believe we’re able to offer a stronger, more well-rounded service to our local community.”
The websites have been developed at SW Healthcare, and more than halve the current spend by practices on existing website services.
They are also informed by the invaluable knowledge and input of local practices and their patient communities – as well as research from local public health and NHS providers – and are aimed to better support patients.
Nicky Redshaw, PCN Manager at Worcester City Primary Care Network, said: “These new websites have been piloted with a view to making healthcare more accessible for our local patients.
“We’re optimistic by continuing to take advantage of innovative new technologies and ways of working, alongside tried-and-tested clinical care, we can better support our local primary care providers and, of course, our patients.”
