Dorset patients can book GP appointments via NHS 111 service

A new way to book doctors appointments is being tried out in Dorset - where we can call 111 to get access.

We're told it's only been introduced 'very recently' but it's already working 'really well'.

A rapid rollout's underway so we can all benefit from the service.

Sally Sandcraft - Dorset's Director of Primary and Community Care - says the non-emergency service is busy, but coping:

"The use of 111 is 25% up this year compared to the same time last year. But we're 4th in the country for our performance in responding to calls through 111."

The idea behind the new service is to try to stop people 'bouncing around the system'.

It also follows concerns last week that some patients were struggling to get hold of appointments with their GPs during the pandemic.

Dorset's Director of Primary Care, Sally Sandcraft, says this latest change is part of a range of improvements to 111:

"Peoples' experience of using it is so important because if they have a bad experience, they won't use it again - and then the link with how they then go to access the appropriate service for patients, based on their needs is really important."

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