Primary Care News

Walsall GPs help lead the way by logging on to Patient Online

Walsall residents can now access their local GP services with greater ease and efficiency, thanks to a national NHS programme.

People can now book an appointment, order repeat prescriptions, view information on medication, allergies, illnesses, immunisations and test results and access a summary of their health records, as part of Patient Online.

testAll 59 GP practices in Walsall are part of the national initiative, which has been designed to provide patients, families and carers with a more modern, convenient and responsive service.

Dr Anand Rischie, Chairman of NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “In this day and age, people carry out most tasks online, so it makes sense that they should be able to access some of their key GP services online too.

“It is a quick and easy way for people to get in contact with their GP surgery to accomplish simple tasks and access their key health information safely and securely. I am pleased that patients have been very receptive to it so far.”

Patient Online is part of an overall drive by NHS England to use digital technology to further bring the NHS into the 21st century, with GP surgeries leading the way. The online services are being offered in addition to the traditional telephone and face-to-face methods of interacting with a GP practice.

Patient, Graham Hird, praised the system: “I have found the online system extremely useful. It saves me effort and time when booking appointments and ordering repeat prescriptions.

“Patient Online means that I can do these types of things much more easily without having to call into the surgery.”

Dr Uzma Ahmad, Medical Secretary of the Walsall Local Medical Committee, said: “The committee is very pleased with the uptake of Patient Online so far. This innovative new system will undoubtedly help GP practices in Walsall enhance the quality of care they provide, as well as help patients take greater control of their health and wellbeing and get instant access to some of their local GP’s services.”