By Hannah Ahmed,Vikki White
Copyright birminghammail
NHS GP surgeries will follow clear opening times from today (October 1) will a set of new changes expected to be brought in across England. From today, practices across the country will have to stick to the new “you and your general practice” charter set out by the health body. Dr Tim Mercer has also outlined what could be expected from the NHS shake-up this month, outlining there is one big change patients “will be happy about.” He said from now on, “practices can’t just say: ‘Just call back tomorrow at 8am,'” adding from today, GPs mist be open from 8:00am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday. READ MORE: Doctor warns over Covid symptom which could get worse ‘at night’ The doctor went on to share how throughout these hours the medics should be able to be contacted in person, by phone call, online or through the NHS app, the Mirror reported. He went on: “Whether you make your request by phone, online or visiting the practice, you have to give us some details and then we can assess what is best for you based on your clinical need. “We will consider your request for an appointment or for medical advice and tell you within one working day what will happen next,” he added. From October 1, requests could result in an appointment “that day, the subsequent day, or it might just be a text message or advice to go to the pharmacy or another NHS service”. “Your practice will decide what is best for you based on your clinical need,” NHS England advised on its website. “Your practice cannot tell you to just call back the next day.” “You might be offered a face-to-face appointment or a phone call with a GP or other member of the practice staff, like a nurse or pharmacist,” the service added. “If you have a carer, they can speak for you with your consent. READ MORE: New Covid variant symptoms as strain continues to spread in UK “You can ask to see a preferred healthcare professional, and the practice will try to meet your request, although you might have to wait longer for that person to be available. It can be helpful to see the same healthcare professional, particularly if you have a long-term health condition.” Meanwhile, in order to assist in the process and transition, the NHS has several suggestions, which it explains on its website: Full guidance, provided by the NHS can be found here .
