Introducing Anima

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The team at Oakview Family Practice are pleased to let you know about a new way to contact us at the practice, make enquiries, request results, medical certificates and make appointments. In November, we will be introducing ‘Anima’, a new system which will allow us to make sure you get the support or appointment you need, at a time that is appropriate and safe for your problem. This is in direct response to new government guidelines and our realisation of how difficult it can be at times to get through to us on the phone. We also find that sometimes patients have booked appointments when really they just needed some information, results of tests and so on but felt the only way of getting this was to see the GP in person.

By registering to use the Anima app or accessing this through the existing Patient Access App you will be able to ask us about anything from a health problem, a medication question, prescription request or forms that you’d like us to complete.

Our reception team will still be answering the phones and you will be able to book appointments with them but if you use Anima you will avoid needing to queue on the telephone and will keep lines free for those who do not have internet or who need immediate help. You can also choose what time to put in your request at a convenient time knowing it will be dealt with that day.

It will help us make sure everyone who is trying to get help and support get it by the right person at the right time. You can use the app to book directly with any of our team including our physio and pharmacist and if you are not sure who is best to see the app will direct you to the best person.

This is a totally new way of working for us and we know it will be very new for you too. Please be reassured that our fantastic reception team will be able to support anyone who is having difficulty with the website and the form, or who doesn’t have the internet. We will all be learning how best to use the app to improve the system for everyone and we will adapt our use in light of feedback from patients and staff. Where this app has been adopted in other practices patients have found it really useful so we hope this will also be our experience.

Extra benefits to me as a patient?

As a patient you will benefit from the following:

• You will be able to log on to see the status and outcomes of your current and past requests.
• You will be asked questions to find out more about your problem, to help us better understand how urgently we need to help you (asked without medical jargon)
• You will be able to use Anima in a number of languages to make it easier if English isn’t your first language
• Your medical records will be more complete for the future
• The advice you get from us will be clear and you will be able to read it again if you didn’t take it all in at once
• You will receive a text message and email to let you know when the practice has responded (no more missing emails in the junk box).

Published: Nov 1, 2023