Local GPs receive National Recognition and Award for Improving Patient Access

Drs Sanjay and Shikha Pitalia and their SSP Health team are delighted to have been highly commended at the prestigious NHS Alliance Awards for their work at Ashton Medical Centre. 

They received this accolade for their innovative approach to improve access for their patients, offering flexible surgeries and using a mobile phone so patients could text if they needed to cancel an appointment.

Flexible surgeries were introduced at key times that patients wanted:
GP drop-in surgery every lunchtime 12-2pm
GP drop-in surgery after-school 3.30-4.30 twice weekly
After-work 5.30pm-7.30pm every Monday and Wednesday

Mobile phones are popular and convenient for most people and letting patients text to cancel an appointment has freed telephone lines and reduced wasted appointments which can instead be offered to patients needing to be seen at short notice.

The surgery at 120 Wigan Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, consulted with its patients. Senior manager, Julie Sankey says, 'The new services are based on patients views and the feedback to us is that they are delighted with the changes. Patients tell us a text is quick and simple'.

Practice manager, Vicki Swain, says, 'The results were apparent almost immediately. The scheme has been hugely popular with all our patients.'

The surgery now has pre-bookable appointments readily available 
Telephone access has improved 
Patients are guaranteed to see a GP same day at the drop-in surgeries

Further plans to improve access include drop-in sessions to see the nursing team for lifestyle advice/screening and drop-in sessions for family planning.

'The project has superseded all expectations,' said Stephanie Byrom, Chief Executive for SSP Health who has already rolled out the scheme across the other SSP Health surgeries locally in Claire House at Lower Ince, Lord Street at Higher Ince and Braithwaite Road, Lowton. 

Stephanie adds, 'This commendation is further recognition of both doctors' contribution to general practice. They were proud to win the NHS Alliance award last year and were also highly commended at the illustrious Health Service Journal awards. SSP Health were thrilled when Dr Shikha Pitalia was recently named GP of the year by Mersey Deanery on behalf of the Royal College of General Practitioners.'

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Added: 21/11/08

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