All submissions are received and processed at The Blundellsands Surgery. Often we can sort out the request online. We may send you advice, request investigations, provide a prescription or arrange for a further appointment.
You will always receive communication via text, email or telephone call advising you of the outcome, to your eConsult.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic eConsult requests have increased 400%. This has significantly eaten away at the clinical time available, to see patients at appointments.
As such appropriate use of eConsult is essential to maintain efficient and effective care to our patients.
Therefore please adhere to the following:
- Only use eConsult for routine care requests - The response time is generally a number of days but may exceed a week at busy times
- Do NOT use eConsult if you are ill or if you may need urgent attention - This generates clinical risk
- Please use the 'Search by condition, symptom or topic' option available on eConsult, for the condition/symptoms you require help for - This ensures the correct questions are asked and reduces duplication.
- If you know you will need to speak to or see a clinician then contact the surgery via telephone to arrange an appointment - This avoids duplication and saves clinical time
- Only use one eConsult per presentation, as questions are tailored accordingly to the condition / symptoms you require help for.
Examples of presentations that DO work well with eConsult:
- Skin and visual presentations - Please ensure you have included a photograph
- New depression and anxiety - You will be asked to complete a questionnaire
- Contraception requests and menstrual related symptoms
- Musculoskeletal presentations e.g. muscle sprain, joint pain, back pain
- Urinary symptoms including discharge
- Coughs and upper respiratory symptoms
- Bowel symptoms including rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, indigestion, bloating, diarrhoea
- Feeling 'Tired all the time'
- Admin requests including sick notes
Examples of presentations that DO NOT work well with eConsult:
- Multiple symptoms and highly complex individuals
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Tonsillitis
- Abdominal pain of unknown cause
- New lumps - especially breast lumps, testicular lumps or persistent lymph nodes
- Any acute illness causing the patient to feel ill
- Mental health crisis including suicidal and psychotic symptoms
- Significant concern of cancer
Remember you can also access direct help from the following services:
- Walk in Centres - The nearest walk in centre to The Blundellsands Surgery is: Litherland town hall
- NHS 111 via telephone or click HERE to use their online service for general advice and GP out-of-hours
- Local pharmacy including "Care at the chemist" - Click HERE to find chemists near you, who offer this service
- Links via our website and also by visiting the NHS website