Shropshire Star

Shropdoc praised for photo and Skype use

Shropdoc, the organisation which provides Shropshire's out-of-hours GP service has been commended for its introduction of photographs and videos when a patient is being assessed.

Published

A consultation is ongoing about the future of Shropdoc after it was revealed that it may be replaced with another provider or merged with the national 111 advice and assessment line.

But while the future of the service remains uncertain, the organisation has been awarded for its customer service and recognised for its use of Skype contact with GPs. Medics are also taking pictures on mobile phones of conditions such as rashes and sending them to experts for analysis.

Ian Winstanley, chief executive officer at Shropdoc, said: "We recently had our first surveillance visit following our certification under customer service excellence.

"We have reached the standard to maintain the certification but we have also been awarded compliance plus status in three elements.

"Compliance plus is practices that exceed the requirements of the standard, and are viewed as exceptional or as an exemplar for others – either in the organisation or in the wider public, private and voluntary service areas. We are extremely proud to be considered as exemplary."

Shropdoc was awarded compliance plus status because it makes "services easily accessible to all customers through provision of a range of alternative channels".

This related to the introduction of the use of photographs during triage stage to enable clinicians to assess rashes to make appropriate diagnosis.

"In response to the national shortage of GPs we have developed our existing workforce to ensure there is a workforce of sufficient skill and number to meet needs and demands," added Mr Winstanley.

"The compliance plus status in this area was in recognition of those steps taken."

Shropdoc was also recognised for using skilled clinicians to deliver treatment while GPs are utilised in the most appropriate way for better patient care. Further praise of their use of technology came for the use of Skype contact to GPs to ensure the patient continues to receive the right treatment without unnecessary delay.