Improving Access to General Practice
Tilbury Chadwell Primary Care Network is part of a national effort to provide sufficient routine appointments at evenings and weekends to meet locally determined demand, alongside effective access to out-of-hours and urgent care services.
This has been an NHS England priority, because whilst public satisfaction with general practice has remained high, in recent years patients have increasingly reported, through the GP Patient Survey, more difficulty in accessing services including a decline in good overall experience of making an appointment in general practice.
Tilbury and Chadwell PCN Practices are working together to provide access to the right person, providing the right care, in the right place at the right time by providing additional routine evening and weekend appointments with a GP, Pharmacist, Nurse Practitioner.
When are these appointments available?
Evening and weekend consultations are available via the Enhanced Access Service:
- Monday – Friday 6.30pm to 8pm
- Saturday 9am to 5pm
Who can access these appointments?
All patients registered with a GP Practice in Tilbury Chadwell PCN will be able to access these appointments.
- Commonwealth Health Centre
- Medic House and Appledore Surgery
- Rigg Milner – East Tilbury and Corringham
- Sai Medical Centre
- East Tilbury Medical Centre and Corringham
- Tilbury Health Centre (Tilbury Chadwell Group)
How do I make an appointment?
In the first instance patients should contact their individual GP practice for more information on their extended access service and how patients can make appointments.
What can I be seen for?
Enhanced Access appointments are available for you to book routine appointments. This can be for anything from a blood test to an asthma review or BP check. You can book an NHS Check or arrange a Smear appointment with a Nurse. The service can see babies and children too and you can book for childhood immunisations or a flu jab.
Will I see my own GP or Practice Nurse?
You will normally be seen by a local GP or another member of the Clinical Multi-Disciplinary team, but it is unlikely that you will be seen by your own GP. If you would prefer to see your usual GP or practice nurse, please book an appointment with your usual practice during their normal opening hours.
Will the GP I see have access to my medical record during my appointment?
Your medical record will, with your consent, be available to any Healthcare Professional that sees you, to ensure that they have the information they need to give you the best possible care. Notes of your appointment will be sent back to your own GP practice to ensure that your record is up-to-date. An appointment with this service will be just like an appointment at your own GP practice.
