When you contact the practice you will be asked some questions by the care navigator who will have had specialist training. This helps to ensure that you see the right professional for your needs, which is not always the GP. Please be assured that if you need to see the GP you will still see the GP.

All GP Practices in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale will have trained Care Navigators in place later this year and will begin Active Signposting. There may be a settling in period for this new service, we ask for your support and patience whilst this takes place. Hopefully you will then begin to see improvements to how they access primary care services for the future.

Examples of services that you may be signposted to include:

HMR Minor Eye Conditions' Service (MECS)

The HMR Minor Eye Conditions' Service provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye conditions. The service is provided by MECS accredited optometrists (also known as opticians) across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale who have specialist knowledge, training and skills. The service is for people registered with a GP in Heywood, Middleton or Rochdale. It is for people of all ages -adults and children. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult. HMR 7 Day Access Service (7DAS)

The service has been introduced to give patients more flexibility in where, when and how they use local health services. It has been designed to help those who find it hard to get to the doctors during the week, perhaps because of work and family commitments.

While patients may not get to see their own doctor during these hours, the GP or nurse they do see will have access to the patient’s medical record, subject to their consent.

www.gmpec.co.uk/service/Minor-Eye-Care-Conditions

Emergency dental treatment (for Patients without a dentist)

The Dental Access Centre in Rochdale provides emergency dental treatment to patients who are in acute pain

Oral Care by the Community Dental Service in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Bury and Oldham

Referrals are accepted for patients with additional care requirements or that require specialist care that is unable to be managed by a General Dental Practitioner

www.penninecare.nhs.uk/your-services/service-directory/heywood-middleton-and-rochdale/dental/dental/rochdale-urgent-and-emergency-dental-service

Clinical Triage

Requests for urgent appointments are passed to a dedicated GP who will ensure the patient is dealt with by the most appropriate person in the Healthcare Team. This will result in fewer inappropriate GP appointments and better use of the surgery Nursing Team and other Healthcare professionals (e.g. District Nurses) and services, such as pharmacists and opticians. The aim is to ensure that patients are seen quickly and efficiently by the most appropriate person, dependant on the individual problem.

Patient Online Services

Many patients already use the online services available for their GP Practice.

GP online services allow you to access a range of services via your computer or mobile. Once you have signed up, you will be able to:

• book or cancel appointments online with a GP or nurse
• renew or order repeat prescriptions online
• view parts of your GP health record, including information about medication, allergies, vaccinations, previous illnesses and test results

The service is free. Everyone who is registered with a GP can have access to their practice's online services.

There is extremely good feedback from patients for these new services. If you have not tried these services then please ask the receptionist at your GP Practice, where they will be happy to register and guide you through these options