We Are Making Exciting Changes To How You Can Access Our Services At Bowling Highfield Medical Practice:

Introducing Our New Modern General Practice Model...

At Bowling Highfield Medical Practice, we are committed to providing the best possible care to all our patients. To improve how we meet your needs and manage demand more effectively, we’re rolling out the new NHS England’s Modern General Practice programme across the practice. Our new way of working will start from the 6th January 2025.

Here’s what these changes mean for you:

A New Approach to Accessing Appointments and Other Services                                                

The best way to book an appointment is to use our online system called PATCHs. You will need to register yourself to use PATCHs, if you aren’t confident with this or struggle in any way, we can help you to get registered to use this simple system, just let our Patient Services Team know you need help and we will be happy to assist you.

PATCHs works by submitting an online form to the Practice. You will be asked a few questions to ensure you get the help that you need. The form might ask you the sort of questions that a doctor would, and it is sent immediately to the practice. 

The doctors find it helpful as it gives them a lot of information about your problem so that they can get back to you with a phone call, email, or text - or a face-to-face appointment - as quickly as possible.

Starting your consultation online leaves the phone lines free for those of our elderly and vulnerable patients who cannot use the online system.

If you are unable to use digital services don’t worry, just contact the surgery and our helpful patient services team will fill out the form and submit it for you.

Benefits for you

By using PATCHs you will get improved access to the GP practice. You can submit requests for help from the surgery in your own time without having to wait on the phone to speak to a member of the Patient Services Team.

  • Quick response. You will usually get a quicker response from a GP or other healthcare professional than having to wait for an appointment.
  • Convenience. You can access a range of services including GP consultations, health advice, sick notes, and more. You usually won’t have leave your house if you contact your GP practice using PATCHS.
  • Easy to use. PATCHS is simple to use – you only need to answer a few questions to get help from your GP practice.
  • Support for vulnerable patients. Carers can use PATCHS on behalf of patients who can’t use PATCHS for themselves.
  • Easier Access to the Surgery. No more hanging on the telephone!

Benefits for the Practice

Improved efficiency. We can see at a glance what help you need (because it’s written down), without you needing to explain it over the phone. This helps the team to quickly prioritise which patients need help quickest, and which patients need telephone or face-to-face appointments.

Fewer phone calls. The more patients use PATCHS to contact the GP practice, the fewer phone calls the practice receives. This frees up GP practice staff to do other important work.

Benefits for other patients

Patients who really need to phone the practice can get through easier. The more patients use PATCHS to contact the GP practice, the fewer phone calls the practice receives.     

This frees up the phone lines for patients that can’t use PATCHS.

Why Are We Making These Changes?

We know that demand for appointments is high, and we want to ensure that you’re receiving the care you need, when you need it. By fully utilizing our multi-professional team, we aim to:

  • Reduce avoidable appointments.
  • Make sure every patient is treated by the right person for their specific needs.
  • Ensure we have the capacity to care for everyone who reaches out to us.

This new model is designed to help us better manage our resources while continuing to offer high-quality, personalized care.

We’re excited to take this step forward and look forward to continuing to serve you in the best possible way!