eCONSULT enables you to consult us online during normal working hours.

 

 

 

All submissions are received and processed at Westway Medical Centre. Often we can sort out the request online. We may send you advice, request investigations, provide a prescription or arrange for a further appointment 

You will always receive a text advising you on the outcome - please ensure you have consented to receive texts 

 

Over the pandemic eCONSULT requests have increased 400%. This has significantly eaten away at clinical time available to see patients at appointments.

As such, appropriate use of eCONSULT is essential to main efficient and effective care.

 

Therefore please adhere to the following:

  • Only use for routine care requests - the response time is generally a number of days but may exceed a week at busy times
  • Do NOT use if you are ill or if you may need urgent attention - this generates clinical risk
  • Please search for the reason or symptom that you are enquiring about - this ensures the correct questions are asked and reduces duplication
  • If you know you will need to speak or see a clinician then phone to arrange an appointment, this avoids duplication and saves clinical time
  • Only use one eCONSULT per presentation as questions are tailored accordingly.

 

Presentations that work well with eCONSULT include for example:

  • Skin and visual presentations - please include a photograph
  • New depression and anxiety - you will be asked to complete a questionnaire
  • Contraception requests and menstrual related symptoms
  • Musculoskeletal presentations e.g. muscle sprain, joint pain, back pain
  • Urinary symptoms including discharge
  • Coughs and upper respiratory symptoms
  • Bowel symptoms including rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, indigestion, bloating, diarrhoea
  • Feeling 'Tired all the time'
  • Admin requests including sick notes

 

Presentations that do NOT work well with eCONSULT as these presentations need a direct clinical assessment:

  • Multiple symptoms and highly complex individuals
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tonsillitis
  • Abdominal pain of unknown cause
  • New lumps - especially breast lumps, testicular lumps or persistent lymph nodes
  • Any acute illness causing the patient to feel ill
  • Mental health crisis including suicidal and psychotic symptoms
  • Significant concern of cancer 

 

Remember you can also access direct help from the following

Walk in Centres

NHS 111 via telephone for general advice and GP out-of-hours

Local pharmacy including "Care at the Chemist" provided by Meadows pharmacy & Station pharmacy in Maghull 

Links via our website and https://www.nhs.uk/  

 

Proceed to eCONSULT