DIFFICULTIES in making an appointment to see a GP were highlighted at a meeting between Warrington health chiefs and community leaders from across Warrington North.
MP Helen Jones, borough and parish councillors and other members of the Warrington North community sat down with Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group chairman Dr Andy Davies and acting chief officer Steve Sutcliffe.
Among others present were local clinician Dr Matt Prior and the chairman of Warrington’s Ethnic Communities Association, sagheer Zaman.
The Warrington North MP said frustration was growing among people unable to book appointments in advance who found they no longer had a “named GP”.
She asked the CCG to publish a “one stop shop” website which would detail the most sought-after information from each GP practice in the town in one place.
Hard copies of the information should also be made available in council buildings, libraries and GP practices themselves for those who do not have access to the Internet, as well as being accessible on “smartphones”.
The website should provide information about each GP practice in the town, such as whether patients had a “named GP”, whether new patients were being accepted, how long patients normally had to wait for an appointment, etc.
Dr Prior said the website would allow residents to see which services were offered by which practices, helping them to make informed choices about which surgery was right for them.
Cllr Chris Vobe said problems were increasing in Culcheth and Glazebury, where fewer people were aware of who “their” GP was, and often found themselves seeing different doctors on each visit.
After the meeting, the MP said: “I was very pleased to meet with the CCG’s chair and acting chief officer alongside residents from across Warrington North. This was a very fruitful meeting which allowed us to discuss the concerns that many residents have about securing GP appointments and accessing basic information.
“Both the CCG website and the GP Patients Survey website are very difficult to navigate and local people explained that, in some cases, it took up to 45 minutes for them to access information about their own GP practice! We will now work with the CCG to ensure that people across Warrington North get clear information about the services GPs provide, in one place and in clear English.
“I am very grateful to the CCG for listening to local people and look forward to seeing this new facility come to fruition.”
Pictured (left to right): Cllr Poul Gosney, Morgan Tarr, Dr Matt Prior, Helen Jones, Cllr Chris Vobe, Andrew Hill and Sagheer Zaman.
