As a Medical practice you may have notice we have started using Patchs.

What is Patchs?  - Patchs is a next-generation online and video consultation system

Benefits for patients

1. Improved access. Patients can submit requests any time (depending on when you have Patchs turned on) without having to wait on the phone.
2. Quick response. They get a quicker response from a clinician than having to wait for an appointment in future.
3. Convenience. Patients usually don’t have to leave their house if consulted via Patchs.
4. Support for vulnerable patients. Carers can use Patchs on their behalf – but for those that don’t have carers and cannot use a computer or smartphone, Patchs frees up the phone lines for them.
5. Many patients prefer communicating in writing. It’s easier for them to describe their symptoms more fully and accurately than they could in a traditional telephone or face-to-face consultation, they can take their time to answer questions, can review and edit them before submitting, and have a written record to refer back to in future. This is particularly helpful for patients with anxiety or autistic spectrum disorder because they may find it difficult to communicate verbally how they’re feeling. Some patients say it’s easier for them to discuss sensitive topics, such as mental health issues, in writing rather than on the phone or face-to-face. We've found this is particularly true for male patients who may have avoided seeking help from the doctors before.
6. Patients can use their own words to describe their issues. Rather than certain other online consultation systems where they have to answer lots of yes/no tick box questions.

We collect feedback from patients each time they use Patchs . We've had over 500,000 reviews - and on average patients give Patchs a 4.1 out of 5 star rating.

These are some of the key Patchs features:

- Accessibility 

- Appointment Bookings and Reminders   

- Demand Control 

- eHubs/Federated Working 

- Language Translation 

- NHS App and Login

- Messaging 

- Medical Questionnaires 

- Online Consultations 

- Operating model 

- Patient Facing Services 

- Patient Section

- Remote Monitoring 

- Reporting Dashboard 

- Signposting 

- Templates 

- Triage 

- Video Consultations 

For further information re accessing Patchs, please clink on this link.

Accessing Patchs – PATCHS Support

Patients can now get treatment for seven common conditions without needing to see a GP.

From January 31, thousands of pharmacists across England will be able to assess and treat patients for

• sinusitis,
• sore throat,
• earache,
• infected insect bites,
• impetigo,
• shingles and
• uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women under 65,

without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. 

NHS England said more than nine in 10 community pharmacies in England – 10,265 in total – will be offering the checks under the Pharmacy First scheme.