Patient Update: Changes to Gosforth Phone Line Opening Times
We want to tell you about some changes to our phone system.
These changes will help you get through more easily. They will also help our staff answer calls faster.
What’s changing:
1. Gosforth phone line opens earlier – from 8.15am on 30th May
We are upgrading the phone system at Memorial on Thursday 29th May.
From Friday 30th May, the Gosforth phone line will open at 8.15am.
The phone number will stay the same. All our sites will then open phone their lines at the same time.
2. Your call can be answered from any site – from 8.15 am on 5th June
This is when the two phone systems will be combined into one.
With the systems merged, your calls can be answered at any of our sites, regardless of which number you called.
FAQS
Q: Are you keeping separate phone numbers for Gosforth and Jesmond?
A: For now, yes. Please keep using the number you normally call. Upon the merger of telephones, calls to the former Gosforth Memorial number will automatically divert to 0191 281 4588.Â
Q: What if I need to contact you before 8:15 am?
A: You can use askmyGP from 7:15 am. It helps us – and other patients – if you submit your request online. If it’s urgent, call NHS 111.
Q: Who answers my call?
A: Currently, if you call Jesmond (0191 281 4588), the team at 5 Osborne Avenue or 17 and 200 Osborne Road will answer. If you call Gosforth (0191 285 1119), the team at Memorial will answer.
Q: Why do the phone systems need to be joined?
A: Two reasons: First, so we can answer your call at any site. This means you will get answered quicker as there will be more people available to answer all calls.
Secondly, it will also make it a lot easier for our teams to stay in touch between the 4 sites.
One Practice
These phone line changes are the final step in joining together as one practice.
We’ve already merged our contracts (last May), our clinical system (in autumn), and our website (this spring).
Thank you for your patience and support while we’ve made these important changes.