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Circle Health Group
RECOGNISING that things have changed dramatically since Covid, a North East hospital is offering fast access, private GP appointments, to compliment its already extensive health care service.
In some areas, there can be lengthy waiting times to get a GP appointment at a local surgery, with even longer waits for treatment.
Woodlands Hospital, Morton Park, Darlington, is introducing a GP consultation service to facilitate faster access to potential treatment.
From October 4, the hospital will hold a surgery every Tuesday, and people will be able to book online to see experienced, local General Practitioner, Dr Paul Mulcrone, at a time to suit themselves.
The consultation cost of £100 gives the patient a full 30 minutes with the doctor, who can then prescribe, suggest further treatment or investigations, or refer on, as required. (Please note that this could incur further charges)
“Referral doesn’t always mean surgery,” explains Debbie Dobbs, executive director Woodlands Hospital. “As far as possible, we look at preventative measures that avoid surgery. That could mean a prescription for medication; or a scan; or a referral to a specialist.
“All this can be done within the hospital; quickly, and with as little disruption to the patient as possible. A simple scan could be done the same day, or an MRI within two to three days. Because of waiting lists, this is something that might take a little longer to be seen.”
Offering longer appointments means that patients will have the opportunity to talk about their overall health, including related issues such as their mental wellbeing.
The service has been very well received in other hospitals within the Circle Health Group, and Woodlands wants to offer people around the North East the same opportunity for fast access to umbrella care.
“We are constantly adding to our portfolio of what we can offer patients, which is good for them and good for the area” says Debbie. “We want to make it easy for people to get direct access to better health care, and, by bringing in a GP – which is usually the start of any treatment process – we are offering everything the patient might need, in one place.
“There’s a continuity of care, which patients really appreciate.”
‘Without exception, the whole Woodlands experience, from reception to accommodation to patient care & treatment, is truly 1st class. I rank it as the best hospital I have ever attended. It’s nice, also, to hear staff saying they really like working there. Maybe, therein lies the secret to its success.’ A letter from a recent patient
Although the hospital can’t deal with long-term treatment of chronic conditions, such as arthritis, the GP will listen to any issues and can refer on patients for diagnostic and specialist treatment.
However, other tests or treatments required are quickly available with direct access to the on-site services.
While further treatment will be carried out under the private health care system, it may be something as simple as a prescription for a cream.
Debbie said: “We are continually developing our services at Woodlands, and feel that now is the right time to offer the GP service to patients.”
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