Black Country GP practises have changed the way they’re offering patient appointments.
From immediate effect, all appointments are being triaged. This means that patients will be asked a series of questions in order to determine what type of appointment they should be given, whether it be via telephone, video or face-to-face.
The triage process will usually be conducted by a trained member of the practice team, including nurse practitioners and health care assistants.
A spokesman for the Black Country MHS Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Many GP practices now include a range of health professionals who can diagnose and treat health conditions. This ensures that patients see the right person at the right time.
“If it is most appropriate for patients to see a doctor, they will be offered an appointment with a GP. However, the GP isn’t always the best person to see.”