Starting 6th October, 2025, Gade and Chorleywood Health Centres are changing how we book appointments to make it easier for our patients to see our healthcare professionals.
Patient Triage is a plan supported by NHS England. It’s meant to help fix problems in getting appointments, as talked about in a recent NHS paper “Fit for Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England”
Patient Triage is the process where a GP checks all appointment requests before they’re confirmed. They decide how urgent the appointment is and if someone else in our team or a different service can help instead.
✅ What Is Total Triage?
Total Triage means every GP appointment request is reviewed by a clinician before being booked. This helps us:
- Prioritise urgent cases
- Direct you to the right clinician or service
- Improve access and reduce waiting times
📌 Supported by NHS England’s plan to improve access to primary care.
🚫 No More Urgent Walk-In Clinic
From 6th October, we will no longer offer the urgent walk-in clinic at any site including Chorleywood Health Centre.
All urgent requests must go through the Total Triage process. If you attend for an urgent walk in clinic appointment after this time, the reception team will follow the new process as detailed below.
💻 How to Request Help
Step 1: Visit our website
Step 2: Click on the Online Consultation Form
Step 3: Fill in your details and reason for contact
Step 4: Submit the form
📞 If you can’t access the form, call our reception team for help or visit the reception team in person. They will complete the form on your behalf
🔄 What Happens Next?
Once your form is reviewed:
- You may receive a text with an appointment time or a phone call from one of our team
- Be asked to book online
- Be referred to another service
- Receive advice without needing an appointment
👩⚕️ You may not always see a specific clinician, but you’ll be matched with the most appropriate one.
🎥 Patient Guide: How to Submit a Medical Request in Patient Triage
🔍 What the Video Covers:
This short demo from Accurx walks patients through how to submit a medical request using the Patient Triage system. It’s designed to show the process from the patient’s perspective, making it easier to understand how to:
- Access the triage form
- Fill in relevant medical details
- Submit the request securely
- Receive follow-up communication from the practice
Current Routine Appointment Availability
For some routine appointments, we may ask you to contact us after the 6th of October, once our new appointment system is fully in place.
Please be patient with our team
We kindly ask for your patience and understanding as our staff adapt to the new triage system. This is a learning process for everyone, and our team is working hard to ensure a smooth transition while continuing to provide the best possible care.
🩺 Patient Triage System – Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how this works and what it means for you.
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❓ Why is the practice introducing a triage system?
• To improve access and safety by ensuring urgent issues are prioritised
• To match patients with the most appropriate clinician or service
• To reduce waiting times and make better use of clinical expertise
• To support continuity of care while managing increasing demand
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👩⚕️ Will I still be able to see my usual GP?
Yes—where clinically appropriate and availability allows, we will always try to maintain continuity of care. If your usual GP isn’t available, we’ll offer an alternative clinician who can help, or arrange follow-up with your preferred GP when possible.
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🚫 Is the walk-in urgent clinic still available?
No. From 6th October, our walk-in urgent clinic will no longer be offered. All requests for care will be triaged first to ensure safe and appropriate access.
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📞 Why can’t the receptionist just book me an appointment?
Receptionists are trained to gather essential information so that a clinician can assess your needs first. This ensures:
• Urgent cases are prioritised
• Routine issues are directed to the right person
• Appointments are used effectively and fairly
Receptionists are not refusing care—they’re supporting a safer, more efficient process.
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📝 How do I request an appointment?
You can request an appointment in several ways:
• Online: Complete a short triage form via our website—no login is required
• By phone or in person: A member of our team will complete the form with you if you’re unable to access it online
• Paper copy: Available at reception for those who prefer or require it
Whichever method you choose, the reception team will process your request in the same way. All requests are reviewed by a clinician to determine the most appropriate next step.
We are mindful that some patients may need additional support. If you have accessibility needs or require assistance, please let our team know and we’ll help you through the process.
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🕒 What happens after I give my information?
• A clinician will review your request, usually on the same day
• You’ll be contacted with advice, an appointment, or next steps
• If your issue is urgent, we’ll prioritise it accordingly
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💬 What if I’m not comfortable sharing details with reception?
We understand. You can ask to speak privately or submit your request via our website. All information is handled confidentially and only shared with the clinical team.
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🗂 What if I have a question about prescriptions, referrals, or other admin requests?
From Friday 3rd October, our prescription email address will be closed. All prescription and admin queries must now be submitted in writing.
Here’s how you can make a request:
• Repeat prescriptions: Submit via the NHS App, our online request form (no login required), by speaking directly with your pharmacy, or by completing a paper request form available at reception
• Prescription queries: Use our online form or speak to reception, who can assist you in completing it
• Referrals, letters, and admin forms: These should also be requested via the online form or using a paper version available at the practice
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If you’re unable to complete the form yourself, our reception team will help—either over the phone or in person. All requests are processed in the same way to ensure fairness and consistency.
We’re committed to making this process accessible. If you need additional support, please let our team know and we’ll assist you.
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Patient Feedback
We really value your feedback. It helps us improve the care we provide. You can share your thoughts through our website, via the Friends and Family Test link sent after your appointment, or by completing a paper feedback form available at our practices.
Thank you for your support, The Partners, Gade and Chorleywood Health Centres