You can get health advice and stay safe

Anyone looking to get advice from a GP is reminded there are new measures in place to make it safer.

As part of a series of improvements during the pandemic, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde bosses have introduced a new appointments system within its GP out-of-hours service on a permanent basis.

They believe the new system will help create a more reliable service by reducing waiting times, enabling discrete appointments and improving access to out- of- hours services while social distancing.

In addition to having a scheduled appointment, patients can now phone a GP.

Attend Anywhere, which allows virtual consultations to take place, is being implemented across sites later this month and, combined, the new arrangement means patients will have access to healthcare without having to travel.

Patients will now access a GP out- of- hours appointment by phoning NHS24 on 111.

Acting as the first point of contact, NHS 24 will advise on the most appropriate care pathway.

This system mirrors the current Covid-19 care pathway in place for patients who require urgent primary care.

The new streamlined pathway means patients will either receive a telephone consultation from a clinician or will be asked to attend an urgent primary care centre at an allocated time.

NHSGGC’s patient transport service will also take people to and from the centres if required, and GP home visiting is also in operation for those who can’t travel.

Anyone who presents at an urgent primary care centre without an appointment will not be seen and instead will be asked to call NHS24 to prevent overcrowding in waiting rooms.