General Practice campaign materials

Helping local people to understand the different ways that they can access support from their GP practice team and who they might see for their need is a key priority for Frimley Health and Care and for NHS England.

We are building a toolkit of resources that can be used to help people understand:

· We’re listening and making improvements.

· There are three ways to get in touch - online, on the phone and in person

· There is now a larger team in general practice to support you

· Appointments are available 8am-8pm and at weekends

· For out of hours support visit NHS 111 or call 111

· Information on improved digital options

Please check back regularly as we update the assets available to support these messages.

NHS App pack

Focus on meet your Practice Nurse and general access messages

Focus on meet your Paramedic Practitioner and general access messages

Website and newsletter copy

GP practices have continually been working hard to improve patient experience and access to their team, recently this has included adopting new digital phone systems which allow a call back, informed queuing and signposting to services if appropriate.

The NHS is training more staff to better assess patients’ needs when they first make contact ensuring they can be seen by the right health professional.

Around 400 additional team members have been recruited into healthcare roles at general practices in our area since 2019/2020 - offering patients access to an expanded team of health professionals in addition to their practice GP or nurse.

GP’s are now supported by this larger team that includes pharmacists, mental health practitioners, paramedics and social prescribers, who work together to support patients to get the right care when needed. For example if you have muscular pain, you can be booked straight in to see a physiotherapist.

Remember you can contact your practice online, on the phone or in person. When you get in touch, you will be asked what you need help with. The information you provide will be used to help choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or other health professional in the team to help or you may be signposted to a more appropriate service so it helps if you can answer questions as fully as possible.

You can always tell your practice:

If there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional who you would prefer to respond to you
If you would prefer to consult by phone, face-to-face, by video call, text or email
If you need an interpreter
If you have any other access or communications needs.

It's worth knowing appointments are available 8am-8pm and at weekends and you may be offered an appointment at a location that is not your usual surgery.

For opening hours and more information visit your surgery website.