Doctors in the Midlands have launched a new initiative to heal the breach between practices and patients, setting out to explain why it is worth talking to the receptionist.

The initiative in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has provided an online resource, www.GetInTheKnow.co.uk, suggesting that patients consider discussing their concerns with other staff members than GPs. For example, the reception team will be able to help direct patients to the most appropriate form of care, whether that be over the phone, online, or via a video or face-to-face appointment, patients are told.

Dr Nil Sanganee is Chief Medical Officer for the area’s Integrated Care Board. He wants people to know that their health care issues can be managed in many ways by their GP practice.

“It is important that you do tell the receptionist or care coordinator at your practice why you need an appointment so they can make it with the most appropriate member of the practice team and use the right type of consultation for your particular health problem,” he said. “They have been trained to do this and it means they are doing their job correctly.”

Dr Sanganee points out: “With improvements in technology, more routine tasks are now manageable online and there are alternatives to face-to-face appointments, all of which can be more convenient and what’s best for many people. We encourage patients where possible to sign up for online services and make use of alternative consultation options, to get what they need as quickly as possible.”

This represents the latest part of the ‘Get in the Know’ campaign, which launched last week. The www.GetInTheKnow.co.uk website has links to local information for many aspects of health and wellbeing such as urgent incidents, common minor ailments and mental health concerns.