COMING SOON: Anima
We are excited to announce that in line with all the practices in Wellingborough, from Thursday 7th November, we are changing the way you contact the practice by using an online tool called Anima.
What does this mean?
All appointment requests (apart from Treatment Area) will need to be submitted through this system. You will need to complete a questionnaire and Anima will triage your request. If an appointment is required, a Clinician will review your request and advise you accordingly.
We will also accept administration queries through Anima and once it has been dealt with by a member of our team, you will be notified.
Can I phone the surgery or attend in person to book an appointment?
You can but our reception team will not be able to book you an appointment unless it is for the treatment area (smears, dressings, vaccines etc). All other appointment requests must be submitted through Anima so if you have use of the internet, you must complete the online questionnaire. If you are unable to submit this, our reception team can help.
When and how can I submit a request?
Requests will be open from 7.30am daily. We do have a limit of requests that we are able to accept each day and once the limit has been reached, the portal will close. If you require advice after this time, you can visit NHS 111 online, call 111, visit Corby Urgent Care Centre.
For information on how to submit a request, click here.
What do I need to do to sign up?
All patients need to register for this service by clicking here. If you already have an NHS account (NHS App) then we advise you to set up your Anima account through this so all of your healthcare can be managed in one system. In order to create an account, you will need to use a unique email address and not one that is shared. For more information on how to create an account, click here.
Anyone over the age of 13 can have their own Anima account. Anyone under the age of 13 must be added as a dependant on their parent/legal guardian’s account. To find out how to do this, click here.
What if I don’t have use of the internet?
A nominated person of your choice, such as a Carer or spouse can submit requests for you. Our reception team will also be on hand to help you create your account and can process the online questionnaire for you if you do not have access to the internet.
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to providing you with efficient and streamlined healthcare services through Anima. If you have any more questions regarding Anima, you can visit their helpful FAQ page by clicking here.
EXISTING APPOINTMENTS PROCESS: Telephone
The majority of our appointments are booked on the day, with a limited number of pre-bookable appointments available each day, up to four weeks in advance. These appointments are of particular benefit to patients who need to arrange transport, and those whose work commitments make it difficult to attend at other times. The Practice also offers telephone appointments which enable doctors to consult with more patients during each surgery. Many problems can be dealt with over the telephone, saving patients from leaving home or work to travel to the surgery.
Some patients may wonder whether this is a return to the open surgeries of the past. In fact, there are several important differences:
- Patients will be given a time to be seen or telephoned
- The advanced access system improves the chance of patients seeing their own doctor, when they need to, with benefits for both patient and doctor (continuity, rapport and more relaxed consultations)
- The system makes the best use of the phone, which means that the patient can often sort out their problem without leaving their home or work. When you call, the receptionist will take a contact number and book a callback into the doctor’s surgery. All that we require is that you remain available at that number for 30 minutes either side of the time you are given.
Priority will be given to those on the telephone over those in the queue.
Telephone number and options:
01933 420777
Option 1 - Emergencies
Option 2 - Appointments
Option 3 - Home visits
Option 4 - General enquiries
Option 5 - Prescriptions (open between 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm)
Option 6 - Health Care professionals
For vasectomy and minor op enquiries, please call 01933 672463 (Tuesday to Friday between 9am-3pm)
Please remember a significant number of appointments are wasted by people not attending. Please let us know if you are unable to attend for any reason.
Extended Access Appointments
Patients telephoning Queensway Medical Centre may be offered a telephone or face to face appointment at the Wellingborough Locality Extended Access Hub located at Albany House Medical Centre, Queen Street, Wellingborough (the Host practice), where they will be seen by a Medical Clinician from the Wellingborough Locality. Patients will not be able to request to see a specific Clinician.
Patients will be asked for consent to share their medical record at the time of making the appointment to ensure any advice or prescriptions given are in line with existing medications, known conditions and past consultations. Patients medical records will automatically be updated.
Patient care is at the heart of this project, but we also hope that practices working together will help reduce unnecessary A&E visits and admissions.
Wellingborough Hub
Wellingborough Hub is a new GP led evening and weekend service where local GPs and other clinicians offer a range of services for patients registered with a GP practice in Wellingborough.
For Emergencies Outside Surgery Hours
In a situation where it is necessary for you to be seen outside the normal surgery hours, call 111. The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. You can also visit their website (www.nhs.uk/111) for more information.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
A significant number of our appointments are wasted by people not turning up. Please let us know if you are unable to attend. You can use Patient Access and the NHS App to cancel appointments.
Try the NHS App
You can now use the NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and your GP account on your smartphone or tablet.
You can use the NHS App to check your symptoms and get instant advice, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your GP medical record, access your Covid vaccination status and more.
If you already use online access you can continue to use it. You can use the NHS App as well.
For more information go to www.nhs.uk/nhsapp
Online Facilities (Emis Patient Access)
We now offer the facility to book your appointments, order your repeat prescriptions, change your personal details, and view your medical summary, medications, allergies and any adverse reactions.
If you do not have a patient access account and would like to be set up, please contact the surgery by phone or by emailing patientsofqmc@nhs.net for registration details. You will then be able to register to patient access.
Home Visits
Should you need to see a doctor quickly and can come to the surgery, an urgent appointment will be arranged whenever possible. This is normally quicker than waiting for a doctor to visit after surgery. However, for truly housebound patients and those too ill to attend surgery, you may request a home visit by telephoning 01933 420777, option 3. Please telephone before 10.30am. Home visit requests after 10.30am should only be for urgent problems that have occurred after that time.
Home visits should be reserved for those genuinely housebound, or too ill to leave the house. An unnecessary visit during surgery hours is very disruptive to patients and doctors. The doctor may discuss your request with you over the telephone. A doctor can see at least four patients in the surgery in the same time it takes to see one patient at home. Please think carefully before requesting the doctor to leave the medical centre to attend you.