A MEDICAL practice has announced it will launch a new appointment booking system in a bid to ease concerns about patients' long wait to see a GP.

Elizabeth Courtauld surgery in Halstead will be using care navigators when patients attempt to book an appointment as of Monday, December 4.

The navigators will ask patients to describe their illnesses before deciding which practitioner will be better suited to deal with the matter.

Those booking an appointment will either be designated an appointment with a GP, a nurse practitioner, general nurse or healthcare assistant.

The surgery say the changes are being made due to continued criticism of their appointment system.

A spokesman said: "The NHS on a whole is under pressure all over the country. Many practices have decided to implement changes to the service they offer.

"Our care navigators will be navigating your illness into the correct practitioner appointment.

"This will not necessarily be with your chosen GP but with a Practitioner who can deal with your problem, this may be a GP, Nurse Practitioner, General Nurse or Healthcare Assistant."