Patients in distress have been urged to contact health inspectors as GP surgeries move to online bookings only

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors urged patients to contact them directly so they can “decide when and where to be tested”.

Heads of surgery across the Black Country said they were “aware of the feedback” and were “working on these practices to ensure the system is used in the way we and our local patients expect”. .

The Express & Star last week revealed the challenges facing Wolverhampton’s most vulnerable people as some of the city’s surgical facilities stopped taking bookings over the phone.

Since then, there has been an influx of residents from across the region experiencing similar difficulties accessing vital GP care.

This comes as some surgery chiefs apologized to patients for new booking difficulties and vowed to make improvements, while others claimed the new system was creating “positive change”. .

People registered at Health and Beyond Partnership surgeries claim the city’s elderly, low-income and disabled people are at serious risk due to the new ‘total triage’ system.

They are concerned that patients will be “locked out” from face-to-face appointments to reduce waiting times on the phone, which they say will put further pressure on local emergency departments and A&E departments. To tell.

This was followed by several other surgery facilities in the region, including Showell Park Health Center in Fifth Avenue, Wolverhampton, and surgical facilities under the Your Health Partnership, such as the Regis Medical Center in Lowry Regis. It has become clear that a similar system is used in surgery.

Jennifer Huang, CQC spokesperson for the region, said: “We are aware that some people are reporting difficulty accessing appointments for services provided by the Health and Beyond Partnership. We are communicating with health care providers and partners to ensure people get the care they need.

“We also know that some people are reporting difficulty accessing appointments for services provided by Your Health Partnership. “The CQC is working hard to ensure people get the care they need. We are in contact with our providers and partners.

“Our priority is always the health and well-being of the people who use our health and social care services. If you have any concerns about your health or social care services, please contact us via our website at enquiries@cqc.org. We encourage you to report any concerns to the CQC by emailing us or calling us on 03000 616161. This information will help us decide when and where to carry out inspections.

The region’s medical leaders said the new system would “enable patients to receive the most appropriate treatment without having to call a doctor’s office,” adding that the move would “significantly reduce wait times on the phone.” “It will be shortened,” he praised.

In Wolverhampton, a new integrated triage system has been introduced at the following Health and Beyond Partnership clinics: Bilston Urban Village, Ettingshall Medical Centre, Parkfield Medical Centre, Woodcross Health Center and All Saints. Department of Surgery, Grove Medical Center.