1A community health clinic has dramatically cut its waiting times.
2Patients now wait an average of six days for a routine appointment.
3A year ago, the average wait was more than four weeks.
4The improvement follows a complete reorganisation of the booking system.
5Patients can now book appointments through a simple mobile app.
6Around a third of consultations are held by video or telephone.
7That has freed up rooms for those who need to be seen in person.
8The clinic also hired two additional nurses and a pharmacist.
9The pharmacist handles repeat prescriptions, easing pressure on doctors.
10Early morning and Saturday sessions were introduced in the spring.
11Those slots proved especially popular with working parents.
12Patient satisfaction scores have climbed steadily since the changes.
13One retired teacher described the new system as a breath of fresh air.
14However, staff warn that demand continues to grow every year.
15An ageing population means more patients with long-term conditions.
16The clinic manager said further funding would be needed soon.
17Health officials are studying the clinic as a possible model.
18Similar reforms could be rolled out across the county next year.
19A final decision is expected after the autumn budget review.
20For now, patients seem happy to trade a phone call for a shorter wait.