Appointments

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Rapid Health from 1st July 2025

We will be switching to Rapid Health from 1st July 2025 - It is important patients register an email address with us to use the system properly

New Online Appointment Booking System

The practice will be trialling a new way in which patients can access our services.  Rapid Health is an online facility that allows patients to book appointments, without needing to phone the practice.

Patients will be presented with a series of questions about their problem.  From here, patients will be provided with a choice of appointments with the most appropriate clinician(s), in the most appropriate timeframe, based on their clinical need. 

This should result in shorter waiting times, especially for more urgent medical issues, and focusses on “getting it right first time” – seeing the most appropriate member of the team for your medical issue.  It will also prevent the 8am rush and long waits on the telephones.

The new platform also allows patients to raise admin requests (such as sick/fit notes, doctors letters, and more) and find trusted self-care information for a wide range of symptoms and health conditions.  This will replace our current platform. 

For those who are able to do so, we will ask from 1st July 2025, all contacts with the surgery come through Rapid Health, which will be accessed via our practice website.

If you are unable to use the website, please phone the surgery.  Our administration team will be required to take details of your medical issue/concern and assist you in completing the Rapid Health questions. You will then be offered an appointment with the most appropriate clinician, in the most appropriate timeframe, based on your clinical need.

Preparing and Implementing the New System

In preparation for the switch over to this new system we are having to limit the pre-booking of appointments.  We are aware that this is frustrating, and we are working to try and increase the number of appointments available to clear the backlog.

For those patients that are requiring follow ups, you will be asked by your clinician or reception to contact us around the day you require your follow up to book in or, if an appointment is required after 1st July 2025, to contact us once our new system has gone live. 

Further Information and Support

We will be contacting patients again nearer our “Go Live” date with any updates and further information. Please also keep an eye on our website, Facebook page and in practice for updates also. 

Rapid Health Questions and Answers

How to use Rapid Health video

Online Triage

Our phone lines can be extremely busy so why not try eConsult. It allows you to send us administrative requests or questions and get medical assistance or advice. If an appointment is needed you will be booked in with a next day appointment with one of our clinicians. Click on the eConsult banner opposite to get started and to save time by avoiding having to call the Practice.

econsult

Urgent Appointment

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):

  • phone us  Monday to Friday from 8am
    • Pelham: 01474 355 331
    • St Gregory’s: 01474 369 436

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Routine Appointment

To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:

  • use eConsult, 7 days a week. We will respond within 4 hours during opening times
  • phone us  Monday to Friday from 8am
    • Pelham: 01474 355 331
    • St Gregory’s: 01474 369 436
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:30pm
  • use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Your appointment

However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:

  • by phone
  • face to face at the surgery
  • on a video call
  • by text or email

Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

To cancel your appointment:

  • use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
  • phone us Monday to Friday from 8am
    • Pelham: 01474 355 331
    • St Gregory’s: 01474 369 436
  • reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message

If you need help when we are closed

If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or Call 111.

NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.

Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

If you need help with your appointment

Please tell us:

  • if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to respond
  • if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
  • if you need an interpreter
  • if you have any other access or communication needs

Home visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 11am if you require a home visit.

A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.

House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the Health Centre.

Training Practice

 

We are now a Training Practice involved in the advanced training of GP Registrars who are fully qualified Doctors.

All GP Registrars are required to spend a year working in general practice alongside specially qualified General Practitioners before they are able to go into practice on their own.

Dr Sahota is the GP Trainer in Pelham Medical Practice. Dr Okeze is the GP Trainer in St Gregory's Medical Practice.

Page last reviewed: 04 June 2025
Page created: 23 April 2025