GP surgeries in Altrincham are setting up outdoor clinics to carry out face-to-face consultations in a move to provide a safer space for doctors and other staff.
NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is supporting its 30 member practices to set up outdoors, where possible, and Barrington Medical Centre and St Johns Medical Centre in Altrincham are among the surgeries to have done so.
The clinics provide a safer space for doctors to carry out face-to-face consultations by invitation – typically in the practice car park – and help to increase protection for practice staff when patients have been ‘triaged’ by telephone.
Other surgeries with outdoor clinics include Washway Road Medical Centre in Sale.
Dr Marik Sangha, GP Partner at St Johns, said: “With thanks to the CCG, Council and NHS Property Services, we have set up our clinic outside to reduce footfall, with designated parking to help patients but also to protect our amazing team.”
Councillor Jane Slater, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Equalities at Trafford Council, said: “This is a well thought-through initiative which we have been glad to support and I would like to thank our highways staff for their work in helping us to get this set up.
“We will always do whatever we can to protect the health of our residents, as well as the health of Trafford’s inspirational medical professionals.”
