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Patients can book hospital appointments at GPs

21/ 2/2001

A REVOLUTIONARY new system allowing patients to book a hospital appointment at their GP's has been launched in Macclesfield.

Three practices, including Chelford Surgery, have been piloting the scheme but over the next two months it will be rolled out to six more.

These include Park Green practice in Macclesfield and the Bollington surgery which will be linked up to the computerised programme that will make the scheme work.

A patient visiting their GP can be given an immediate consultation booking with a number of clinics at the hospital.

These include selected clinics dealing with general gynaecology, colposcopy, the rapid access breast clinic and post menopausal problems.

The number of clinics and consultants linked up to the scheme will expand rapidly during the year.

Patients are urged to take their diaries with them when visiting the doctor, so that, under the scheme, they can arrange immediately a time suitable for them and the clinic.

Government targets are for two thirds of patient to be using the direct booking system by 2004 and all patients by the following year.