Doctors InStore
Many patients have difficulties in accessing routine healthcare due to daytime commitments. In a bid to provide convenient, accessible and routine appointments, PriMed services led by Dr Mohammed Jiva, approached Sainsbury's superstore to explore the possibility of using the existing pharmacy consultation room to undertake routine GP consultations. The business model was accepted by Sainsbury's.
Named 'Doctors InStore', the scheme began operation at Sainsbury's Heaton Park in Manchester on the 3rd of March 2008. In the first 12 months, Doctors InStore took over 1300 consultations. The adjacent Sainsbury's Pharmacy was open at the times that 'Doctors InStore' undertook consultations, thus providing patients with the option to dispense their prescriptions.
Mohammed Jiva sought the services of e-availability to develop a system which would allow patients to book and attend appointments in the evenings and on Saturdays. The online booking system created allows each of the practices involved to access a common booking list. Patients can book appointments through their own GP practice. Receptionists access the booking system through a centralised login page, look on the screen for a free slot, and reserve it. GP practices can also alter existing bookings, but only for patients from their own surgery. The practice nurse based at Sainsbury's will check the screen each day and print out the patient booking list for the GP at the in store clinic.
"Patients' needs are changing, and so it's important that we find ways to provide a more flexible and convenient service. An efficient online booking system is essential for making it work, and I'm delighted by what e-availability have developed for us."
Dr. M. Jiva