A GP surgery in Manchester is one of first in the country to test a system where patients first discuss symptoms with their doctor over the phone.

Bosses at the Simpson Medical Practice, in Moston, say the trial means they can help three times as many people every day.

Patients are first offered advice over the telephone, but a doctor may then decide a face-to-face consultation is needed.

Dr Washik Parkar, from the practice, said the scheme was speeding up the treatment process and freeing up appointments for people with more serious conditions.

Previously, doctors at the Moston Lane centre would only have time to see around 20 patients per day – but now they are able to help up to 60.

Dr Parkar, the practice’s clinical lead, said: “I can deal with about three patients in the same time it would take to see one. We want to ease the pressure on the frontline and this system seems to be helping. It could potentially have massive implications nationally.”

He described the project as a ‘triage’ system, ensuring patients get their treatment from the most appropriate place.

He added: “Ninety per cent of the old fashioned diagnosis is on a patient’s history – we don’t need to physically see them to do that.

“I’m not saying it will work for everyone, but I think the old way doesn’t work. many people had a lot of complaints and sometimes have to wait days to see their GP. This is a massive improvement.”

The system, known as Patient Response, is being trialled at 40 practices in the UK, with national health bosses monitoring its success. It is hoped the project could be introduced elsewhere.

Simpson Medical Practice is the only surgery in Greater Manchester to take part.

The practice was named in the top one per cent in a survey by the NHS Information Centre in the category of ‘very easy to speak to the doctor’.

It also had one of the lowest A&E attendances by patients in the region.

A spokesman for NHS Manchester said: “This system allows clinical staff to help patients get the treatment they need in the best possible way, including seeing a GP or nurse, or taking an ‘over the counter’ remedy from a pharmacist.

“The triage system helps patients get the care they need quickly, and helps avoid unnecessary visits to the practice or to hospital A&E departments.”

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