OKEHAMPTON Medical Centre has installed two new patient check-in screens to help book patients in quickly upon arrival.

Both the centre’s buildings have the touchscreen devices, which take a few seconds to use and should speed up the check in process and reduce queues at busy times.

Members of the medical centre patient group have been providing support to patients unsure about using the technology. Patients need to tap in their date of birth and the system identifies them, letting the doctor or nurse know they have arrived at the surgery. It even lets the patient know which building to wait in for their appointment.

Senior partner Dr Amanda Cox said: ‘We are hoping it will help speed up the process for patients booking in for their appointment, reducing queues, especially as we are welcoming new patients from the Okement Practice.’

The machine can also be used to check with patients that their contact details are up to date and enables the medical centre to run quick surveys or public health messages, but that won’t start until patients get used to the new devices.

For more details about the medical centre, its services and staff please visit their website on www.okehamptonmedicalcentre.co.uk