Action promised as patients struggle to book GP appointments

Warrington South MP Andy Carter says he has received ‘quite a few’ messages over recent weeks about access to local GP services.

He mentioned Chapelford Medical Centre in particular, but elsewhere across the constituency too.

Many patients reported getting through on the phone at Chapelford to be a struggle, with long waiting times trying to connect and calls not being answered in a reasonable time frame.

In response, the practice says it is working hard to overcome issues raised and improve the service on offer to patients.

Chapelford Medical Centre

Dr Dan Bunstone, lead GP at Chapelford and clinical director of Warrington Innovation Network, said: “We are sorry to hear that some of our patients have been unhappy with the service provided recently at Chapelford Medical Centre.

“Like many other GP practices, we are experiencing higher levels of demand and other unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic.

“However, our staff are working really hard to overcome these issues and to provide an improved service to our patients.

“Our GPs, advanced nurse practitioners and other clinicians are delivering appointments, both face-to-face, digitally and via telephone, but we are expanding our services to include even more video appointments.

“When our patients contact the practice, there will be a clinically led discussion to agree what is their best option, which will help us meet the current high levels of demand, reduce waiting times for patients and free up valuable time for GPs so they can spend more time with patients that clinically need face-to-face care.”

Dr Dan Bunstone, lead GP at Chapelford Medical Centre

Dr Bunstone met with Mr Carter and Chapelford and Old Hall councillor Linda Butler to discuss patients’ concerns and the challenges being faced by primary care.

The MP says he is continuing to monitor the situation and has also discussed the issues with NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group.

A spokesman for NHS Warrington CCG added: “We are aware that recently some patients have experienced issues accessing services at Chapelford Medical Centre.

“However, we have been working closely with the practice and we are reassured that there is a robust plan in place to resolve these issues going forward.”