Patients at two GP surgeries can now explain to a receptionist why they need to see a doctor without the fear of sharing what are often personal details with the rest of the waiting room under a move.
Patient privacy slips have been introduced at the two surgeries after patients raised concerns about discussing details with reception staff in front of other people.
Unsworth Group Practice which runs the Blackrod Health Centre and Peter House Surgery has brought in a new way of sharing details at the two practices.
Now patients are given the option of writing down personal details and queries which are handed to the reception team without other patients knowing their confidential information.
A spokesperson for Unsworth Group Practice said: “It has been highlighted to the practice that some patients feel uncomfortable discussing their queries with our reception staff on our reception desks at both Blackrod Health Centre and Peter House Surgery as they are concerned this may be overheard by other patients.
“We have now introduced privacy slips at both our reception desks, giving you the option to write down your personal details and query to hand to our reception team.
“Thank you to all those who have shared this concern with the practice, we highly value patient feedback and will continue to act upon patient concerns where possible.”
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Bolton Council's cabinet member for adults, health and wellbeing Cllr Sean Fielding said he thinks this is a positive move and a service worth rolling out to other GP surgeries.
He said: “This feels like a positive move by the Unsworth Group Practice.
“When I've been to the doctor's I've often wondered whether everybody feels comfortable telling the receptionist why they are visiting within the earshot of people in the queue behind or a busy waiting room.
“I think that it could only be a good thing if more surgeries were to offer this system to their patients and those who might've been put off visiting the doctor over privacy concerns will now be more confident in going.”
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno
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