osoab
9th February 2011, 06:45 PM
Call NHS Direct if you want to visit your doctor (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8314915/Call-NHS-Direct-if-you-want-to-visit-your-doctor.html)
Anyone wanting an appointment will first have to contact NHS Direct by dialling 111, which will be used as the new non-emergency medical number.
Call centre staff would then make their booking remotely, meaning patients would no longer speak to a GP receptionist directly.
The scheme is being tested by 20 practices in Surrey, and appears to have the backing of Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary.
Doctors behind the proposal believe it will make booking appointments easier, but patients' groups fear that many will find having to book through a call centre "hugely frustrating".
There are also concerns that it could erode the role of dedicated GP receptionists – many of whom build up a close rapport with their doctors' patients – with people having to deal with anonymous call centre staff with little medical experience instead. Unions believe thousands of receptionists could lose their jobs.
WTF???
A lot of the comments are wondering if the call center will be UK based or in India.
Robert is in the UK. I wonder if he would speak up on this.
....
Next: Coming to a Health Care Bill near you. >:(
Anyone wanting an appointment will first have to contact NHS Direct by dialling 111, which will be used as the new non-emergency medical number.
Call centre staff would then make their booking remotely, meaning patients would no longer speak to a GP receptionist directly.
The scheme is being tested by 20 practices in Surrey, and appears to have the backing of Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary.
Doctors behind the proposal believe it will make booking appointments easier, but patients' groups fear that many will find having to book through a call centre "hugely frustrating".
There are also concerns that it could erode the role of dedicated GP receptionists – many of whom build up a close rapport with their doctors' patients – with people having to deal with anonymous call centre staff with little medical experience instead. Unions believe thousands of receptionists could lose their jobs.
WTF???
A lot of the comments are wondering if the call center will be UK based or in India.
Robert is in the UK. I wonder if he would speak up on this.
....
Next: Coming to a Health Care Bill near you. >:(