GP First Update 03/06/2026.
Yesterday we had our first patient test group for our new triage system, GP First (ACCURX).
GP Partner Dr Curwen, reception lead Laura and practice manager Sam met with some patients to put our new system to the test and gain some feedback from a patients perspective.
The feedback from patients was extremely positive. Patients liked how easy the system was to use, how easy it was to access via their phones and how a GP would review their medical concern the same day.
Some questions the patients had were:
Q: What about patients who do not have access to the internet, a smart device or computer?
A: Patients who cannot access the online form can still call the practice and a member of our reception team will complete the form on their behalf.
Q: Do all appointment requests come through this system?
A: Yes, all urgent and routine appointment requests will come through this system and be reviewed by a GP first.
Q: Do I still call the practice up to book a routine appointment once my request has been reviewed?
A: No, once a GP has viewed your request we will then contact you to book an appointment via telephone or we can send you a booking link to book an appointment online for a date and time that suits you.
We are aiming to decrease our waiting times for routine appointments from 5 weeks to 2 weeks with this new system (this will vary due to bank holidays and annual leave throughout the year).
Q: Will this new system help with wasted appointments?
A: Yes, on average we have 140 appointments per month that are wasted by patients not attending the appointment, this new system will reduce this and the amount of wasted appointments we experience daily. We will continue to post our monthly practice workload to monitor the improvement.
Q: Does this system completely replace E-consult?
A: Yes, E-consult will no longer be available to use from Friday 12th June at 6:30pm and our new system will go live Monday 15th June at 8am. The new system is ran by a company called ACCURX which we already use for our SMS communications. Administration and sick note request will be made via the new system.
Q; How can i access the online form?
A: The link for our new triage system will be accessible via the NHS App, our practice website and a link will be posted on this Facebook page, we can also send patients the link via text or email. Once you have the link, you can save it onto your device if you wish.
Thank you to the patients who were part of our test group. We really appreciate your time and feedback.
Reminder, We have a drop in sessions with Sam our practice manager on Thursday 11am-12pm and 2pm -3pm. Please pop along if you have any questions.
We Are Changing How You Contact the Practice
From 15th June 2026, our practice will be moving to a new system called GP First. This means that every request for help will be looked at by a GP before an appointment is booked.
The aim is to help patients get the right care, from the right person, at the right time.
What Will Happen?
When you contact the practice, you will be asked for some information about your problem.
You may:
· Fill in a simple online form
· Speak to a receptionist on the phone, who can complete the form with you
A GP will review your request and decide:
· How quickly you need help
· Who is best placed to help you
· Whether you need:
o Advice only
o A phone call
o A face-to-face appointment
o Help from another service
Why Are We Making This Change?
We know it can sometimes be difficult to contact the practice or get an appointment. This new system will help us:
· Respond to patients more fairly
· Deal with urgent problems more quickly
· Reduce long waits on the phone
· Make better use of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other staff
· Offer more same-day help when needed
Some problems can be sorted quickly without needing an appointment. This means we can save appointments for patients who need them most.
Will I Still Be Able to Speak to Someone?
Yes.
If you cannot use the internet, our reception team will still help you by phone. Patients who need extra support will still be able to get help. Face-to-face appointments will still be available when needed.
What Do I Need To Do?
For now, nothing will change. We will share more information before the new system starts in June 2026.
Thank you for your patience and support while we make these changes.
Kind regards,
Dr Jack Bond
Dr Daniel Curwen
Dr Gemma Philpott
