Total Triage

Getting You the Right Care Quickly

 

All GP appointment requests – whether you call us or use our website – are checked first by a senior clinician. This is called triage. It helps make sure you get the right care, from the right person. Total Triage is recommended by the NHS as a way to improve access to GPs and to improve services for patients.

How to Use Total Triage

  1. Send us a request
    • Use our website, or call us
    • Use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or NHS App to request an appointment
  2. We add your request to the triage list
  3. A senior clinician checks your request
  4. We contact you by phone or SMS
    • With an appointment
    • With advice or a referral
    • Or to ask for more details

If you can’t fill in the online form, don’t worry – call or visit us, and our reception team will complete the form with you.

Appointments with Pharmacists, Nurses, Physiotherapists or Healthcare Assistants, can still be booked directly by our reception team.

How does Total Triage work?

  1. You submit a GP appointment request, either over the phone or online
  2. All requests are added to the daily triage list
  3. All requests are reviewed by a senior clinician

What Happens Next?

You will be contacted by the practice by SMS or phone call, usually the same day. 

After triage, we may:

  • offer you an appointment
  • refer or signpost you to a more appropriate service
  • answer your query
  • ask for more information

If you need an appointment, we will ensure you are seen by the most suitable person for your needs. This could be a GP, Pharmacist, Nurse, Physiotherapist or Healthcare Assistant.

When Will I Hear Back?

We usually contact you on the same day. At busy times, it might take a day or two. Urgent requests are always seen first.

Emergencies

Triage means we can spot urgent problems and make sure we see those patients quickly.

In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

Why Are We Using Total Triage?

The NHS recommends Total Triage to make it easier and safer to get GP care. Some benefits include:

  • Better access to your GP.
  • You are seen by the right person, at the right time, in the right place.
  • Reduced telephone call wait times.
  • Better continuity of care.
  • Reduced appointment waiting times.
  • Improved access for patients who cannot use technology by reducing telephone queuing times.

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