GP system supplier TPP has announced a partnership with communications firm Voice Connect to enable GP practices using TPP’s SystmOne to offer an automated appointments system.
Voice Connect’s Patient Partner means that patients can phone their surgery 24 hours a day to book, check or cancel appointments. The company said more than 275 surgeries have already installed the system and the integration with TPP’s SystmOne will widen its reach.
David Harrison, technical director at Voice Connect, said surgeries were using Patient Partner to improve their access figures.
He added: “In order to provide an around the clock automated service Patient Partner needs to ‘talk’ to the GP practices’ electronic appointment booking systems. We have worked closely with TPP to enable SystmOne to do just that.”
The Carmel Medical Practice in Darlington is a SystmOne user which has already installed Patient Partner.
Karen Crook, practice manager, said the surgery was seeing an increasing number of patients using the automated system.
She added: “Our patients can now telephone our practice at any time and book appointments with available GPs which is particularly beneficial to patients that work odd hours.
"However, those who do wish to book an appointment with a specific GP can still speak to a receptionist during working hours.”
Drew Littler, TPP director, said the partnership with Voice Connect was one of a number of partnerships providing SystmOne users with a wide range of possibilities for booking and managing appointments.
He added: “We feel that any service such as Patient Partner which helps patients’ access healthcare whilst reducing workload for staff is worth investing in.”