I’m aware some of my constituents, and readers of the Ongar News, have been upset they can no longer walk into the Ongar Health Centre to book an appointment. I have followed up on these concerns and been told that this is to reduce the risk to very vulnerable patients who need to attend face to face.
Although we are now in the fortunate position that the formal Covid restrictions have now been lifted, the pandemic is not over and there are many people still testing positive and being hospitalised meaning it is still a risk for those who are frail, vulnerable or immunosuppressed.
This means all health care settings are remaining cautious, with staff and patients in all health settings, including the Ongar Health Centre, continuing to wear face coverings. If health care workers are Covid positive or are in close contact with a Covid positive person they are still required to follow strict testing and isolation rules.
The staff at the Health Centre tell me they are continuing to see significantly higher demand for appointments than they did pre-pandemic. Despite this, throughout the pandemic patients were invited to attend face to face consultations where the GP felt it was clinically necessary and safe to do so and this will continue. I’m told that virtually all appointments with the nursing team are now face to face. The Health Centre has also compiled a list of conditions which prompt an immediate face to face GP appointment, with more being added in the coming weeks.
The Health Centre is operating a triage system for everyone booking an appointment. Some patients will not need to see a GP at all, and their needs can be addressed more quickly by other medical and health care professionals, such as pharmacists and physiotherapists. The Health Centre has just employed a paramedic who is also capable of minor illness management and carrying out some home visits where necessary.
Work is also being done to promote the use of ‘e-consult’ on the Health Centre’s website for those who can use it to help patients avoid having to queue on the telephone for an appointment which I am very aware can be frustrating. The Health Centre is also increasing hours for the reception team to reduce waiting times.
Residents may be interested to know that West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group is funding a scheme to provide extra access to GP telephone consultations. The Practice Manager at the Ongar Health Centre tells me this will provide around 40-50 additional same day appointments every week.
I am hugely grateful for all the work the GPs, nurses and practice staff at the Ongar Health Centre have done over what has been a uniquely challenging time for all those in health care. The pandemic has required changes to be made to the way we access our healthcare and forbearance on the behalf of those accessing it. Please do keep me informed about how local services are working for you – it’s vital that they do.
