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Work to start on new surgery
Sep 11, 2002
CHANGES are underway at Gainford surgery with work due to start on the new health centre, and the introduction of an appointments system.Demolition of the Jet service station is due to start on Monday, Dr Mike Neville told the Mercury.
“Things are slowly moving along,” said Dr Neville. “The petrol station has now closed and the demolition work is expected to last about a week or two. Once this is completed the hand-over of the site can take place.”
From the beginning of October, the surgery will also begin operating a new appointments system. Previously patients were treated on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.
Dr Neville explained this was to help improve the efficiency of the surgery. “At busy times we can get 20 or 30 people waiting to be seen, sometimes we have people standing in the waiting room” he said. “Obviously people are worried they will be waiting three months for an appointment, but nobody is going to be able to make an appointment more than 24 hours ahead.”
Plans for the new appointments system were accepted reluctantly by Gainford parish council at its latest meeting when councillors were asked for their comments.
The council could understand why there was a need for the new system, but was concerned that urgent cases may not get seen to quickly enough.
“We should emphasise the need for flexibility on urgent treatment,” said Coun Brian Biddiscombe.
Chairman, Coun Wendy Withers, said if anyone contacted the surgery before 9.30am they will be given a same-day appointment, usually that morning.
“I think we’ve been very fortunate to not have an appointments system for so long,” said Coun Ken Hodgson.
On some busy mornings, patients have to wait up to two hours to be seen. Hopefully with an appointments system the surgeries will be spread throughout the day so there is less waiting time for patients.
The doctors may also be required to work shifts at the out of hours centre in Bishop Auckland starting at 6.30pm meaning evening surgeries will have to finish at 6pm prompt. This would be impossible under the present system, said Dr Neville.
“Also when the new surgery is built it will be further out of the village,” he said. “With the appointments system people won’t have to walk the extra distance and have to wait a long time to be seen.”
Under the proposed system there will effectively be a walk-in morning surgery and appointments will always be available within 24 hours.
Patients wishing to book an appointment should call 01325 730204.