North Cumbria GP practices urge patients to show kindness this winter

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

Primary Care Collaborative North Cumbria has asked patients to treat GP staff with kindness during the winter months when health service demand rises.

Primary Care Collaborative North Cumbria has issued a message asking patients to treat GP staff with kindness as winter approaches and demand for health services typically rises.

The organisation said GP practice teams across north Cumbria would be doing their best to help everyone who needs care, while following triage systems designed to ensure patients are seen by the right healthcare professional. General practice has changed significantly in recent years, with many practices now employing a wider range of healthcare professionals rather than relying solely on GPs. Receptionists and care navigators often follow processes set by clinical teams to direct patients to the most appropriate member of staff, which could include nurses, healthcare assistants or other specialists.

Primary Care Collaborative North Cumbria said receptionists and care navigators were not responsible for NHS pressures or the wider challenges many people face in their daily lives. The group acknowledged that rising household bills, cost-of-living pressures and other personal difficulties can leave people feeling frustrated or worried. However, it stressed that practice staff are simply trying to help patients access care and may themselves have been dealing with difficult situations throughout the day.

The organisation is planning to share further information in the coming weeks explaining how GP practice triage processes work and why patients may be directed to different members of a practice team.

How it is being reported

• North Cumbria patients urged to show kindness to GP staff this winterPatients contacting GP practices this winter are being urged to remember the pressures facing frontline healthcare staff and to treat them with kindness.Whitehaven News · 9 Oct, 05:00
• North Cumbria patients urged to show kindness to GP staff this winterPatients contacting GP practices this winter are being urged to remember the pressures facing frontline healthcare staff and to treat them with kindness.News & Star · 9 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Primary Care Collaborative North Cumbria · North Cumbria

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