Out of Hours Appointments

Out-of-hours appointment system to be introduced by Glasgow's health board.

06:49 09 June 2020

The Glasgow NHS board is following from a number of other Scottish health boards and is set to introduce out-of-hours appointment system. Under the new system, patients will be turned away from emergency out-of-hours GP centres unless they have scheduled an appointment. 

 

In order to reduce waiting times, patients will need to call NHS 24 first for a telephone consultation and video assessment. They will be referred to out-of-hours centres should they need further medical care. 

 

The board said that the measure ensures that social distancing is observed while easing pressure on the service, which is currently battling chronic GP shortages. 

 

Dr Kerri Neylon, deputy medical director for primary care at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "With all patients being channelled through NHS 24 as a first point of contact, we can ensure they are directed to the most appropriate type of care within the right environment, at the right time. 

 

"The way we access urgent primary care is changing, and the new system underpins a wide exercise to ensure that whole of Great Glasgow and Clyde has access to safe, reliable and sustainable GP out-of-hours service which maximises resources and technology to deliver high-quality person-centred care."