FAQ's: -

Will I get to see a GP sooner when this new system is in place?

Answer: We hope to improve access by making use of different members of our team to free up more GP time to see patients.

Categories:
  • Building
  • Locations
  • Planning

I know the receptionist from my Practice and they know me and I don’t want to see anyone else

Answer: We want to create smaller teams of doctors with dedicated reception staff with each team to improve continuity.

Categories:
  • Locations
  • Treatments

I see currently see the nurses from my Practice and I don’t want to see any old nurse

Answer: We are going to evaluate our current nursing staff from all practices to ensure we are utilising all of our current nurses skills and encourage training for our current nursing staff to enhance their roles. We are also aiming to integrate the community nursing teams into our teams to improve communications and access for patients.

Categories:
  • Treatments

I want to see a GP when I am ill, so why should I see a paramedic they are not doctors?

Answer: Paramedics are skilled professionals with advanced training in seeing acutely ill patients. They may be better at dealing with some of these situations than a doctor.

Categories:
  • Treatments

With all the new houses that are being built in Lewes and in Ringmer and around will there be enough GPs anyway despite the new system?

Answer: We have been struggling to recruit new GPs because of increasing workload and stress. It has taken School Hill practice a year to replace their last partner and had to use a recruitment agency. The new programme of change has sparked a huge interest in GPs and we now have a number of GPs already interested in potentially working with us if an opportunity arose.

Categories:
  • Building

Does this new system mean that I am going to become a number and not a person?

Answer: We hope by working in smaller teams we can improve continuity and enhance relationships with the team of staff looking after our patients.

Categories:
  • Planning
  • Treatments

What if I need an out of hours doctor how will that improve as it is very difficult now?

Answer: The current system will remain at present with the out of hours doctors. We are aiming to work more closely with the minor injuries unit to improve our acute care to make a single point of access through the surgery. We already provide enhanced opening hours for the 3 practices which will continue and may expand in the future.

Categories:
  • Planning
  • Treatments

If I have a complaint to whom would I go?

Answer: Formal complaints must be made in writing to our Managing Director. Please see our Complaints Procedure for full guidance.

Categories:
  • Building

Will I still be able to get an appointment on the day if I am feeling ill?

Answer: We hope to improve access to enable any patient who needs seeing an appointment that day an appointment. We hope to improve this by getting quicker access to speak to a GP to ensure you are directed to the most appropriate person to deal with your needs.

Categories:
  • Treatments

Will there be one computer system for all Practices?

Answer: Yes, this will improve working across the practices. Only staff directly involved in your care will access your records.

Categories:
  • Building
  • Treatments

What about services like District Nurses, Podiatry, Services for the Hearing Impaired, Physio, OT, Speech and Language Therapy – will they be onsite as well?

Answer: We are working with the Sussex community foundation trust and other local providers to bring as many relevant services as possible to the site.

Categories:
  • Treatments

Will any of the current GP Practice buildings be used or not?

Answer: Ringmer surgery will remain as a branch surgery. We hope to use the riverlodge site as part of the extended services offered in the community.

Categories:
  • Building

This is going to be a big set up and I am used to small one – how will it be personal and not intimidating?

Answer: By working in smaller teams we hope to improve continuity and retain the personal relationships.

Categories:
  • Building
  • Treatments

How much is all this going to cost? Wouldn’t the money be better spent on improving patient care than on a building?

Answer: Our current facilities are not fit for purpose. We feel the investment to improve these facilities will be an investment to improve patient care for the future.

Categories:
  • Partners
  • Planning
  • Treatments

Who will I speak to when I call my Practice?

Answer: Reception staff who we are training to enhance their role as patient navigators to be able to help with queries without having to wait to speak to the doctor.

Categories:
  • Building
  • Planning

I live at the top end of town how will I get to the new hub building?

Answer: We have been asking Lewes District council to ensure they are reviewing bus routes. Parking spaces available under the new surgery. CTLA

Categories:
  • Locations
  • Partners

Will I be able to see a doctor of my choice?

Answer: Yes, we aim to have small groups of doctors working together to help improve continuity. You can still choose to see a particular doctor in that group if available.

Categories:
  • Partners
  • Treatments

Will it be easier or harder to get to see a GP with this new system?

Answer: We hope by focusing on patient journeys and making the system work more smoothly with all our staff then we can make more efficient use of our time to enable better access to GP’s and other qualified and highly skilled members of staff.

Categories:
  • Planning

I like my current surgery so why is it necessary to go to a new building?

Answer: Our current buildings are not fit for purpose as modern medical facilities and do not have enough space for what we currently need and for the increasing population of Lewes.

Categories:
  • Planning
  • Treatments

If I need to see a consultant at the local hospital will it still be my GP who decides or some outside organisation like MSG?

Answer: Patient choice remains as to where you would like to see a hospital consultant, your GP can still help you with that decision. We hope in time to enhance our relationships with local consultants to bring them to our hub and work closer with us as a team.

Categories:
  • Treatments

Who will be in charge of running and organising this new way of working?

Answer: The current GP partners of the three existing practices are looking at forming a combined partnership which will hold the contract for the GP services. We are also working with Sussex community Foundation Trust who employ our community teams to work more closely together in the future.

Categories:
  • Planning
  • Treatments

Will there be free parking?

Answer: We are in discussions with the developer to have free parking for the time of your appointment at the practice. If you wish to stay for longer there will be a smart number plate recognition system to recognise if you have stayed longer so you can pay to stay if you wish.

Categories:
  • Building
  • Planning

Who will triage patients who call in – a GP or someone who is not a doctor?

Answer: A GP will triage all new medical problems, any non medical queries can be helped with our patient navigator staff.

Categories:
  • Treatments

Will I be able to book to see the GP of my choice online?

Answer: We aim to improve our online access to appointments to individual GP’s and other staff.

Categories:
  • Treatments

What will happen to the Victoria Hospital and to the Phoenix Centre?

Answer: We are aiming to enhance the Victoria Hospital site to work with the minor injuries unit to provide an enhanced minor ailments and acute care centre. We are in discussions with the providers based at the Phoenix Centre to continue its use and integrate the services into the new practice.

Categories:
  • Building

I’m from Ringmer – what will happen to our surgery?

Answer: This will remain.

Categories:
  • Building
  • Locations

How are you going to keep the patients informed about the final plan for this reorganisation?

Answer: We will continue public consultations and involve our patients in all stages of the redesign of services.

Categories:
  • Building
  • Planning

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