Online consultations

SystmConnect is our new online consultation platform that enables effective communication with patients. SystmConnect helps improve access and manage demand at the practice.

Patients can access this service using a smartphone app, website, phone call or in person at reception. The request is allocated to the correct team, and patients receive replies via their preferred communication route, whether that be a letter, video consultation, phone call, app notification or email.

How to Access the New System [from Monday 20th January 2025]:

• Visit our website at www.guardianmedicalcentre.co.uk
• Click on the "Online Consultation" button
• Log in with your NHS app details, SystmOnline details or register for a new account.
• Follow the instructions to submit your consultation or appointment request.

The online consultation platform is designed to provide a convenient way for you to address non-urgent health concerns. It allows you to:

• Ask general questions about your health.
• Get advice or follow-up for ongoing, stable conditions.
• Request medication refills or referrals for routine care.

However, this platform is NOT suitable for urgent or emergency situations.

If you are experiencing any of the following, please seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services or visiting your nearest emergency department:

• Severe chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden weakness, numbness, or slurred speech
• Heavy bleeding or severe injuries
• Any condition you feel is life-threatening

For urgent medical issues that are not emergencies, please contact the practice directly by phone on 01925 650226 option 1

Clinical requests | Response time: 2 working days

• Monday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
• Tuesday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
• Wednesday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
• Thursday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
• Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Please note - when our online consultation limit has been reached for the day, the system will close until the next working day. 

Administration requests | Response time: 2 working days

• Monday: Open
• Tuesday: Open
• Wednesday: Open
• Thursday: Open
• Friday: Open
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Why Are We Making This Change?

The new system offers improved functionality and a more user-friendly interface. It is designed to make online consultations quicker, safer, and more convenient, helping us provide timely and effective care to all our patients.

Key Features of the New System:

• Easier to Use: A more intuitive platform that makes submitting requests and communicating with the practice simpler.

• Improved integration: The system is fully integrated with patient health records
• Faster Response Times: As the system is fully integrated with patient health records, it allows us to respond to your queries and requests more quickly and efficiently.
• Mobile-Friendly: The new tool is fully compatible with smartphones and tablets, including the NHS app and Airmid app allowing you to access it anywhere, any time.

SystmConnect allows our patients consult with their practice online by completing a form that is sent by the patient and reviewed by the practice. This system is designed to ensure you speak to the right healthcare professional or are put through to the correct team within the surgery. It may help prevent you making unnecessary trips and phone calls to the surgery and be a more convenient way of accessing our services.

Patients can complete the following types of requests: 

Admin requests

Response time: 48hours 

• Request a doctor letter
• Request a fit (sick) note
• Follow-up on Test Results (Blood Test, Scans, etc.)
• Any other advice or information that is not medically related eg discuss referrals

Clinical requests

Response time: 48hours 

• New conditions
• Existing conditions
• Medication queries

Research shows that 70% of requests are closed without the need for a face-to-face appointment. You can get NHS help via SystmConnect at any time during our opening hours. Completing an online consultation may be useful for patients who are unable to call to book an appointment over the telephone or who are unable to come into the practice. 

SystmConnect is approved by the NHS, is fully information governance approved and integrated with your NHS healthcare record. All information is handled within our NHS clinical system and no information is held outside of your NHS medical record.