Cheshire’s GP practices conducted 1.3m face-to-face appointments during COVID-19 response

New figures show that Cheshire’s GP practices conducted more than 1.3 million face-to-face appointments during 2020-21 despite the many challenges presented by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Between April 1^st 2020 and March 31^st 2021, GP practices across Cheshire also conducted 1.3 million telephone and video appointments, processed more than 52,000 referrals and issued more than 13 million prescriptions.

Sandbach GP Dr Andrew Wilson, Clinical Chair of NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said the figures showcase the breadth of work in primary care to support local people.

“There’s no doubt that 2020-21 was a year like no other for everyone working in health and care,” he said. “But despite the many, many challenges we have all faced, Cheshire’s GP practices have worked hard to support local people with both COVID and non-COVID related health issues.

“As these statistics clearly show, Cheshire’s GP practices have been extremely busy throughout the COVID-19 response – it’s just that some of our services may look a bit different. We've introduced new ways of working such as telephone and video appointments to help keep people safe, while also leading the way on the county’s COVID-19 and flu vaccination programmes.”

To continue to protect against the spread of COVID-19, you may now be asked to discuss your conditions over the phone or online first to assess what would be most appropriate for you. However, face-to-face appointments are available to all patients in line with clinical need.

During the COVID-19 response, more than 100,000 Cheshire patients registered to access their records online and 43,000 registered for at least one online GP service, with more than 800,000 prescriptions ordered in this way.

Dr Wilson, a GP at Ashfields Primary Care Centre, added: “Many people have been quick to praise health and care staff for working ‘tirelessly’ throughout the COVID-19 response, however frontline staff are indeed very tired. Against this backdrop, health and care services – including GP practices – are now also experiencing heightened demand following the peak of the pandemic.

“Please remain patient with us as we work hard to provide the services and care that communities across Cheshire need. Thank you for your ongoing support.”

NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group

NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for planning and buying healthcare services for a population of around 770,000 people. It is the CCG’s responsibility to ensure the local health budget of c£1.2bn is well spent. NHS Cheshire CCG is committed to working with partners to ensure that the people of Cheshire are able to access consistently good care – wherever they live – and to work together to deliver the priorities outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan.

Email:

workingtogetherascheshire@nhs.net

Pictured - Dr Wilson, a GP at Ashfields Primary Care Centre.