GP Triage -Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

During practice opening hours, Monday to Friday 8am to 6.30pm.

Yes as long as the person has given consent to reception to allow you to speak about their medical problems on their behalf.

Please ask the registered person to phone to allow this if this isn't already set up; if the person lacks capacity we will most likely already be aware of this but if not we can ask the GPs to verify this from the medical notes.

Usually the same day

You could be:

  • given an urgent same day appointment
  • sent a link to choose a less urgent appointment that suits you
  • assigned to receive a written clinician response later
  • given a home visit if needed
  • sent any other response the GP thinks appropriate

Please submit your health problem using the online form. The GP can assign an urgent same day appointment if appropriate.

If these have all gone, you may be directed to other services funded for this scenario.

It depends on each case and what the GP decides is needed; you can write a preference and we will try to accommodate it, subject to availability.

If it is a telephone appointment, and the clinician feels you need to be examined, they will arrange this.

The GP will decide which type of healthcare professional you need to see.

If you are sent a booking link to select an appointment, you will see the names of the persons to choose.

If you receive a booking link, you can see who is available for upcoming dates.

If your preferred clinician is not available, you can check again the next day as more appointments are released. However, please do not delay seeking help if your problem needs attention — you may need to see another clinician.

Yes, if it’s not an urgent same day appointment. The booking link sent to you will have options.

Please submit your health problem online. If GP triage decides you need a same day appointment and there is still capacity, one will be arranged for you.

The level of urgency has been assessed by a GP.

If you think it is more urgent because you forgot something or have new or worsening symptoms, please write just the extra details in a new health problem submission.

This means the GP has decided you need an urgent same day appointment but we have reached our capacity.

Urgent treatment centres are a NHS resource funded to cover this scenario. All practices need to direct patients there, though we try our best not to.

The percentage of our patients who need to go there is lower than average for practices in the area.

We know patients prefer to be seen at the practice and we would prefer it too. We continue to argue the case behind the scenes that funding GP practices for more appointments in the first place should be a priority.

Booking links are valid for one week.

If your link has expired or is not working, please contact reception.

You can request a new link within four weeks of the original issue date.

Try to be specific not vague, examples below:

Vague                                                  Specific

For a while                                           For the last 10 days

Don’t feel myself                                  Nausea and high temperature

Tried lots of tablets from chemist        Tried paracetamol and Gaviscon

Stomach pain                                      Cramping pain in lower stomach that comes and goes

 

You don’t need to write complete sentences, just convey the information so it can be understood.

There is a character limit for answers. If you are struggling to fit information in, stick to the important points.

If you have multiple problems you think are unrelated please submit these separately so you have more space to write.

Please follow the same link and instead of submitting a health problem choose the I have an admin or routine care request.

There are a number of options for fit note, routine care, test results, referral follow-up and doctor's letters.

Please contact reception for assistance.