"It works very well for patients"

Having been unable to secure an appointment with my local surgery to have a health issue I had concerns about addressed, I was given the telephone number for the Phone First service run by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.  

My call was answered immediately and after giving some information I was speaking to a doctor at the Phone First facility in Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, within a few minutes. After this conversation, an appointment was provided for me just one hour later in Daisy Hill.

I was seen on time and had some necessary tests carried out.  I cannot praise the professionalism and care of the doctor and nurse on duty highly enough. They explained what they were doing and at all times it was clear that the welfare of the patient was their top priority. While one of the test results was available for analysis right away, the results of other tests were conveyed to me by the doctor within two hours of the appointment. This call was delivered in a professional and caring manner and I was informed that contact had also been made with my GP surgery about a referral that would need to be made.

My experience of Phone First has been excellent and I wish to share it on this platform to highlight the efficiency of this service. I also wish to acknowledge the professionalism and care of the staff on duty at Daisy Hill on this occasion.

In conclusion, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust should be commended for this service.  With all of the issues surrounding securing GP appointments, I would suggest that the SHSCT should certainly maintain this facility and, indeed, consider expanding it. It works very well for patients.