Did you receive a text informing you about changes to the Moorings GP appointment system? It contained an invitation to attend a ‘community meeting’ on 4th January. The somewhat short notice announcement invited patients to go to Christchurch, Purley between 10am and 1pm.
For those who couldn’t attend, it was basically an explanation about a new online system called KLINIK, which will be rolled out on 16th January. Patients will be able to book an appointment after providing details of what ails them. Many may have already encountered this type of interrogation before. GPs will then assess who is in most need and appointments will be made.
Those who cannot book online will be able to call the surgery as before, but will be taken through the same ‘triage’ procedure as the online booking service.
Moorings’ patients will no doubt be sceptical. It is recognised by the practice that the current system is ‘broken’ and it has been looking for an alternative for the past year. As with all new systems there will be teething problems and patients will have the opportunity to give their feedback.
An explanation of KLINIK is available on the Keston and Moorings Medical Practice website. It starts with the comment ‘We know that sometimes our patients find our systems frustrating’ an understatement if ever there was one. It gives some background as to why the system is changing and how it works. Let’s hope that the new system is fit for purpose.