Seven GP surgeries in Barry, Rhoose and Sully, who are part of the Central Vale Cluster, are the first to embark on the rollout of an app allowing patients to engage with the surgery more easily and efficiently.

The app has been designed by patients and doctors providing a central resource at the touch of a button to access surgery services and health information using a smartphone, or tablet device.

West Quay Medical Centre initially piloted the app in co-production with their Patient Participation Group.

Mr Gareth Thomas, Business Manager, West Quay Medical Centre said: "When patients need medical attention or assistance, often the GP surgery is the first point of contact.

"We already know that calling the surgery can sometimes be troublesome for some patients, so the app will allow patients to manage their own health and allow them to connect to their surgery far more effectively."

Dr Paul Evans, Patient Group Chair, one of the first to use the app said: "It's a great, easy app to use.

I no longer have to remember where to go as the app knows where to direct me. I would recommend it to anyone."

The surgeries are now firming up their plans to start rolling out the app with the intention of improving patient access, which is a Welsh Government priority and a requirement under the General Medical Services Access Standards.

The seven surgeries are:

1. West Quay Medical Centre
2. Waterfront Medical Centre
3. Highlight Park Medical Centre
4. Court Road Surgery
5. Vale Group Practice
6. Practice of Health
7. Sully Surgery

Patients will be able to download the app, register and select their surgery to gain access to their own personal dashboard.

The registration process is easy to follow and once registered each surgery will be able to quickly inform patients using push notifications of surgery and cluster events, urgent health messages, or new health services available.

The app will provide a health resource section for self-care as well as access to an online symptom checker.

More functionality will be added soon including a Patient Health Hub enabling patients to keep a track on their own health.

Dr James Martin, Central Cluster Clinical Lead said: "This will provide a transformational way for patients to engage with their surgery and will provide a better experience allowing them to access surgery services more easily as well as finding self-help advice through the range of health resources available."

Mr Steffan Gimblett, MySurgeryApp said: "We are delighted to be working with all practices in the Central Vale Cluster.

"We look forward to working with Central Vale Cluster to further develop the app's features in line with population needs."