Argyle Medical Group in Pembroke Dock are making it easier for patients to contact them.

Following suggestions received from patients of the practice, the doctors at the Argyle Medical Group have recently moved from a 0844 telephone number back to the local 01646 exchange.

After investigating concerns the doctors agreed that the use of a 0844 number was not helpful for mobile phone 'pay as you go' users, as the tariffs set by mobile phone companies tended to be much higher than rates paid by patients telephoning from local numbers; particularly if a patient had to hold on the line for any period of time.

For patients of the surgery the new numbers are:

For Argyle Street Surgery, Pembroke Dock and St Oswald's Surgery, Pembroke - 01646 624198

For St Clement's Surgery, Neyland - 01646 600238

Dr Richard Bury, business partner for the Argyle Medical Group, said "We had met on several occasions with the town councils of Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Neyland to discuss patient concerns and we had also noticed an increase in the numbers of concerns received in respect of the old 0844 number. In light of this we decided to return to a 01646 number. Patients need to be aware, however, that as there is no extended queuing facility with the local number and that they may experience an engaged tone when trying to contact us at busy times. We would ask them to be patient while the new number beds in."

In addition to this change, the practice has also made available a limited number of 48-hour forward booked doctor appointments.

Dr. Bury reports that due to the high numbers of patients not attending for pre-booked appointments, the decision was taken originally by the doctors to operate a predominately same-day booking system. However, after listening to concerns expressed by some patients, the partners have taken the decision to allocate some forward booking appointments to the system. This will enable those patients who have to arrange leave from work or arrange transport with relatives etc to book an appointment two working days in advance. These appointments will complement the same day appointment system.

Elaine Lorton, Head of Primary Care and Dental Services for Hywel Dda Health Board said: " We are working with all of our Primary Care Contractors in Hywel Dda to look at improving access to healthcare within the community. We would urge patients to attend appointments when they have made them and if they are no longer required to cancel these appointments at the earliest opportunity to allow them to be offered to someone else."

The practice are meeting with the Community Health Council, the Hywel Dda Health Board and representatives from the town council in November to review the changes.