New Online Booking System

Launching 1st September

We are pleased to announce that from 1st September, we will be introducing a new online platform using rapid health for booking all GP appointments, including face-to-face and telephone consultations. This means you will no longer need to call at 8am to secure an appointment. Instead, you can book at a time that suits you, from the comfort of your home or wherever you may be. 

You will be guided through a few simple questions about your health concern, after which you can select an appointment with the most appropriate clinician at a time that works best for you. 

There are a few exclusions where you may not be able to book directly. In these cases, your request will be sent to the practice team. Don’t worry, our dedicated staff will contact you the same day to discuss your options.

For patients under the age of 16, appointments cannot be booked directly online. Instead, your request will go straight to the practice, and we will promptly contact you with an appointment.

If you are a registered housebound patient, you should still call before 10:30am to request a home visit. If you do not require a face-to-face consultation, we encourage you to use the online system to book a telephone appointment instead.

In addition to booking appointments, the platform also allows you to request sick or fit notes, acute medication, and submit other administrative requests. We encourage all patients to use this new system for booking appointments. However, if you are unable to access it, please contact the surgery and a member of our reception team will be happy to assist you.

In preparation for the launch, our salaried GPs have been asked to take any annual leave in the weeks leading up to the change. This will help ensure a smooth transition, although it may temporarily affect appointment availability. We appreciate your patience during this time.

Please note that this new system is currently for GP appointments only. Appointments with nurses, physiotherapists, healthcare assistants (HCAs), and pharmacists will continue to be booked by telephone. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this better than calling at 8am? Will it guarantee an appointment?

We know how stressful it can be to join the phone queue at 8am. With the new system, that morning rush is eliminated. You can log in at any time between 6:30am and 3:30pm to make your request. Appointments are released throughout the day, so you don’t need to be ready at 6:30am on the dot. While we cannot guarantee an appointment every time, this system makes access fairer and much easier.

Is it only for same day appointments or can I pre-book?

Both are available. Same-day appointments are still offered for urgent concerns. Depending on your health need, you may also be given an appointment for the next day, within five days, or within two weeks.

I’m worried about AI deciding my timescale. How do I know the GP agrees with it?

The system does not replace clinical judgment. Our GPs have carefully set up rules in the background so that your request is allocated safely and appropriately. The system simply applies these rules automatically, saving GPs from reviewing every single request and freeing up more appointment time for patients.

Why Rapid Health, and why now?

All GP practices are now required by the government to have an online booking system in place. Our team reviewed the options, including the standard government-issued platform. We chose Rapid Health because it is more convenient for patients and reduces the need for GPs to constantly monitor the system. This means more time for consultations and better access to appointments.

Published: Aug 8, 2025