AccuRx

You can use AccuRx;

• To seek non-urgent medical advice from Sleights and Sandsend Medical Practice
• To seek general administrative advice (e.g.  insurance forms, fit-notes, referrals, etc).
• To seek information including self-help information, advice or help from local services which may be appropriate for your condition, such as self-referral services or help from your local pharmacy.

How does AccuRx triage work?

AccuRx asks you a few simple questions which take a few minutes to complete. After filling in some details, your AccuRx is sent to the surgery. We then use this information to decide on the best course of action for helping you manage your symptoms and condition, this may mean you don’t have to come into the surgery unnecessarily.

Accurx triage is not to be used for emergencies

Why are we making this change?

• Requests will be seen by the most appropriate member of staff and dealt with in an appropriate timeframe.
• To reduce telephone waiting times
• Convenience – send your request over whenever you need it, rather than when the phone lines are open
• Your GP may be able to help more quickly and easily.

What If I do not have access to the internet or struggle to complete forms?

Please telephone the surgery reception as normal and we can deal with your query.

What if I don’t have a mobile phone?

You can still use the contact form. You just need internet access (on a computer or tablet device). You do need to provide a contact number but this can be a landline number.

Can reception make me an appointment instead?

We will no longer be able to book routine doctors appointments over the telephone, unless you are unable to use the new system. All requests either online, in person or over the telephone will be assessed equally.

What happens if you need an urgent appointment?

 We will always have an urgent care GP to deal with emergencies/urgent appointments. You will be able to book appointments with the duty GP on the day however if not medically urgent, the GP will ask you to fill out the form.

How long will it take to hear back from the surgery?

The practice will get back to you at the end of the next working day at the latest.

Who will be interpreting these forms?

 The medical form will be triaged by a doctor, the admin queries will be dealt with by the reception team or admin team

I don’t feel comfortable sending the form or telling the receptionist about a medical issue

Please be assured anything you discuss or send into the surgery will be treated with privacy and respect. ALL staff at the practice have signed a confidentiality agreement, meaning anything you discuss is not shared inappropriately

What if English is not my main spoken language?

Clinicians frequently use an official translation service. The receptionist will also be able to access this, either in person or over the phone.

Will I have to fill in the same questionnaire every time I need an appointment?

For each new contact you will be asked to fill in an online questionnaire

Will patients still have a choice of which GP they see?

There is an option on the form to specify which GP you the patient would like to see. We will try our best to meet this request. We will also ask the   patient if they are happy to wait for the requested GP, but this may mean the patient will have to wait longer than 2 days for their query to be dealt with

What if the time/day of the appointment doesn’t work for me?

There is a section on the form where you can write down the times that you aren’t available, which our team can avoid when getting in touch with you

What happens to a request that I send overnight or at the weekend?

The form is not available during evenings, weekends and bank holidays, forms will not be replied to during these times.

Can I request an appointment on behalf of someone else?

Yes, although please write on the form that you are doing so, and put the appropriate contact number on. Please note due to patient confidentiality we cannot discuss anything about one of our patients unless they have explicitly given us permission to do so

Will my request be saved to my record?

Any request you submit will be saved to your record so that whoever calls/sees you about your issue has your information to hand.