Peter Wilson wrote: I'd like to make a couple of points about triage.
Firstly we haven't started the nurse triage yet, so can't comment.
Secondly I agree it's not triage. I say I am the _duty_ Dr when I ring
back. The main knock on for the practice has not been mentioned by you.
This is that the receptionists no longer try to persuade people not to try
to be seen. Not only does this reduce the agro, i.e. no dragon skills
required, but they save time arguing, so can answer next call, book in next
patient, etc much more quickly. Our complaints from patient about getting
to see a GP have fallen almost to zero. It's now only occasional, and that
is that they can't see the GP of their choice when they want to.
Thirdly we don't defer most of the time. No figures but gut feeling: 80%
dealt with over phone e.g. advise or prescription, 15% seen same am, 5%
rebooked to appropriate consultation same day or later in week.
The issue of nurses is interesting. They will get 20 mins per consultation.
I think there will be an enormous temptation not to educate patients
effectively, resulting not in less consulting, but more, i.e. "Oh I'll go
and see that nice nurse who gives me lots of time" rather than waiting to
see if I get better.
We joined up because the system of booking patients at end of surgery was
cracking up, as were the patients, receptionists and GPs. So far, apart
from OOH co-op, it's the best change we've made in our consulting style in 6
years.
HTH
Mark
Dr G Mark Trowell
Highbridge Medical Centre
Pepperall Road
HIGHBRIDGE
Somerset
TA9 3YA
(01278) 783220
(01278) 795486 Fax
[log in to unmask] (Private)
[log in to unmask] (Business)
(Weston Cellular Communications)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|