Merton Lodge Surgery has always been keen to move with the times and engage proactively with technology. Our patients too have shown great support & patience when we try new systems to help improve our service to you.
The surgery continues to offer recruitment for additional clinicians to help increase our capacity and meet patient demand. We are also engaged with our CCG to find ways that we can increase our service capacity in the meantime. We have decided to trial a service offered by the CCG called Livi that offers video consultations with NHS GP’s.
What’s to know about Livi:
Livi is a FREE NHS service, this is an extension of the practice here in Alford and now available to our patients.
Currently Livi is available for patients aged 16 years and over.
Livi is currently only bookable through the surgery – so you can request an appointment by either calling us, coming to the desk to request one or by using AskMyGP.
All GP’s working for Livi are NHS GP’s and they work regular hours in a GP practice.
We will offer you a video call with a GP either on the same day or within the next 3 days.
This service runs Monday – Friday from 7am – 10pm and Saturday’s & Sunday’s 8am – 4pm so we have a range of appointments available to you.
You will be called at your appointment time, or within a few minutes of it and you will be sent a reminder before you are called.
Your NHS Livi GP will be able to prescribe medication for you to collect locally, they can refer you for tests and to hospital specialists etc exactly as your GP in the surgery would.
The GP will record all information to your record about what they have discussed with you and the plan for your treatment. They will also contact the surgery directly if we need to arrange a follow up blood test, BP check or other tests etc here at Alford.
What happens when we book you in?
- First we will check your mobile number and take details of what time of day you would be able to take a video call.
- When you receive your text message with your appointment details, follow the instructions and register.
- Once registered you will have an account and won’t need to do this again (like with AskMyGP).
- In the app you will also be able to rearrange your appointment, cancel or book a new appointment.
- You DO NOT need to pay for this service, it is FREE to Merton Lodge patients. (The service is usually charged at £39 per GP consult).
The GP will video call you at your appointment time – you can take this call at home, at work, in your parked car etc – wherever you feel comfortable.
If you have any queries or concerns before or after your appointment – Livi have a dedicated patient team and you can contact them as follows:
Email: Support@Livi.co.uk
Phone: 02038703029
They are there 7am-10pm Mon-Fri and 8am-4pm Sat & Sunday.
We understand this may seem strange to some patients, that you would have a video call with a GP but we encourage you to engage with this service. This service has been running for many years in other practices and has a CQC rating of ‘outstanding’, which is why it was chosen to be piloted in surgeries like ours by our CCG.
We understand that not all medical problems are suitable for a video call, so our triage team will still take some details to make sure you are accessing the appropriate service.
Livi requires the use of a smart phone, the internet and a mobile number – if you don’t have these please don’t worry, our usual services are still available to you.
