How Reliable is Your GP Digital Phone System?

How Reliable is Your GP Digital Phone System?

Having a reliable phone system is one of the fundamentals of a GP surgery. In fact, an average sized practice of 10,000 patient often receives more than 100 calls in the first hour of every Monday at 8am. Thus, the 8am rush has become a dreaded time for both receptionists and patients.A simple phone system which rings until answered or until it cuts off truly cannot be used for the influx of calls to GPs. GPs need a phone system that can handle a high call volume that a limited number of staff can use with features that ensure a call is never missed. Moreover, a good phone system needs to support staff in doing their job quicker and easier while delivering the best care and treatment possible for their patients.

What Type of Digital Phone System Should GPs Have?

In May 2023, the Government announced a new plan to make it easier for patients to see their GP; the implementation of advanced digital telephony. In short, this means traditional analogue phone systems are to be replace with VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phone systems which allows you to make calls via an internet connection. From this, the Better Purchasing Framework for Advanced Telephony was created in order to give GPs the best digital phone system for their surgery.With this in mind, what type of phone system should GPs have? We highly recommend a hosted phone system due to their flexibility, resilience and the pay-per-seat model.

How AdaptivePhone Can Benefit Your GP

AdaptivePhone is a hosted phone system in collaboration with our partners Gamma. As one of the largest network operators in the UK, their knowledge and innovation aligns with not only our values, but also prioritises the patient experience. Their user friendly platform is easy for GPs to use and understand, as well as streamlining patient calls effectively and efficiently.

Top Phone Features of AdaptivePhone for GPS:

• Automated Call Back: Patients no longer need to wait on hold. When a patient calls, their place is stated and then is reserved. Once it is their turn, the patient will then receive a callback. As a result, this saves both time and money.
• Critical Care Call Routing: This is for vulnerable patients and those that need requirement routing. Without reservation, Adaptive Phone can quickly direct their call to the appropriate personnel to take care of the patient.
• Omnichannel Access: Not every patient wants to call a GP. With this in mind, Adaptive Phone allows for patients to choose how to contact the practice. Whether by phone, website, email, or app, Adaptive Phone provides all these options for convenience.
• Integrated Patient Records: When a patient contact the practice, their information will become readily available to any staff member. Therefore, the likelihood of any delays or frustrations are eliminated. This includes EMIS (England only) with SystemOne and Vision coming soon.

Enhance Your GP Phone System

85% of GPs have already made the switch to hosted telephony as of March 2024. Has your GP made the switch?As a company with 21 years experience in the IT & Telecoms industry and an assured supplier on the Better Purchasing Framework, we are experts in providing tailored phone system solutions. Additionally, we have passed the audit for the Data Security and Protection (DSP) Toolkit for the NHS.Our healthcare specialists can help you make the switch today! Take our FREE GP Phone Survey or visit the Commercial and Procurement Hub for more information.