Appointments 

We would like to thank patients for their continued support and patience during this period of high demand for appointments.  We are gradually reducing the wait for a routine appointment, but with a backlog to work through following the weeks when we had reduced manpower the wait for a routine appointment is currently 4 weeks.  Whilst this is not ideal and we appreciate the frustration this may cause, there are things that patients can do to help the situation:

• Appointment non-attendance - There are a high number of patients not attending their pre-booked appointments.  Last week alone we had 10 appointments not attended which equates to nearly 3 hours of clinical time that could have been offered to other patients. If you have an appointment that you no longer require, please do cancel it so it can be given to other patients.
• Care Navigation - The reception team are highly trained in Care Navigation and Signposting, this is why we ask you to provide as much information as possible when requesting an appointment.  They may be able to offer a more appropriate and quicker option.  They also operate from protocols provided to them by the GPs.
• Pharmacy Options – Church Stretton pharmacies offer a new service which could, if appropriate, provide antibiotics for the following conditions:
  • Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection (Women only 16-64 years);
  • Shingles;
  • Sinusitis (12 years+);
  • Sore throat (5 years+);
  • Earache (1-17 years);
  • Infected insect bite (1 year+);
  • Impetigo (1 year+);

The Pharmacist will give you advice and guidance for the above and many other conditions.

• E-consults – If you have access to a computer or smart phone an e-consult is a great tool to use, you will have a response from someone within 48 hours.  These can be accessed here.
• Prescription Requests - Please do not call the Practice with prescription requests, they should either be in writing, on repeat medication slips or via the NHS app.

Whilst we understand the frustration the routine appointment wait time is causing our patients, it is never acceptable to verbally abuse Practice Staff who are trying their best to help. We have also noticed that some people are inappropriately booking urgent on the day appointments, these are only available for hospital avoidance and those that are in immediate urgent (non-emergency) need of care.

GP Practices are not equipped to deal with accidents or emergencies, these should be dealt with via 999 or you can attend one of the walk-in centres in either Shrewsbury or Ludlow.

The staff are working very hard to try and rectify the current situation with appointments, however the increased pressures at this time of year mean that it will take a few weeks.  As always, we are grateful for the support of our Patients.

Please remember to cancel your routine appointment if you no longer need it.

Published: Mar 19, 2024