Total Triage 22nd Sept 2025 Posted or Updated on 3 Feb 2026

GP Appointment Allocation At Forest House Surgery From 22nd September 2025

Important Information For All Patients. 

Forest House Surgery is moving to a new process for requesting a GP appointment.

Total Triage

Appointments based on clinical need and not on a first come first served basis.

• From Monday 22nd September receptionists will no longer be booking GP appointments when you ring or pop into the surgery.
• All patient requests for a GP appointment will require a form to be completed, the GP will assess the problem and decide if an appointment is required.
• An appointment will be offered if it is deemed to be medical necessary within a medically appropriate timeframe.
• The form can be found via our website or the NHS app and many of you have been using this form already to submit administrative and medical requests.
• From 22nd September this will be the only way of requesting a GP appointment, the forms can be submitted between 8.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays and during Staff Training Events.
• If you do not have access to the internet or are unable to complete an online form independently or via a Carer or relative, then our reception team will complete the form for you.
• Patient Support: How to use NHS login | Accurx Help Centre  : this link demonstrates how to sign up to NHS login, find your past account (used during Covid Campaign by most), reset forgotten passwords and how the Accurx Software appears via the NHS App.

How can I contact my GP?

For step-by-step instructions on how to submit a request this way, click the button below:

Patient Support: How to submit an online request to your GP Practice | Accurx Help Centre

What if I don’t have a smartphone or can’t use the internet? 

You can still telephone your surgery or visit in person. The receptionist will ask you questions about your request to fill out the online form on your behalf.

The surgery team will then assess your request and will be back in touch with next steps.

All requests will be assessed as soon as possible and in the same way, regardless of how you contacted the surgery. The reception team cannot book an appointment directly.

Why has this changed? 

Traditional ways to contact your GP often meant that appointments were being allocated on a first come, first served basis, with long phone queues to get in touch with your surgery. This meant that vulnerable patients, or those who needed care sooner were missing out.

By registering all requests through an online form, your surgery can prioritise and action requests quickly and fairly, ensuring that you get the right level of care at the right place and the right time.

What happens once I’ve submitted my request? 

Your surgery will use the information you provided to ensure that you’re given the most appropriate care.

• They may send you a text message containing a link to provide more information if needed.
• If an appointment is required, they may send you an appointment booking link via text message, or the reception team will ring you to arrange this over the phone.
• If there is a faster or more appropriate route to care, you may be offered this, such as being asked to go to your local pharmacy or being referred to another service.

Text from above image:

You don't have to join the morning rush to reach your GP.
There are quick and easy ways to get in touch, and get the care you need.
Choose the recommended routes below to avoid queues.
However you contact us, a healthcare professional will assess your request in the same way, as soon as possible.
Our aim is to give everyone fair and equal access to care.
Use the NHS App  
It's quick and safe to contact us via the NHS App. Switch on app notifications to also receive messages about your care.
Visit our website
Get in touch via our surgery's website.
It's fast, secure and your request is delivered straight to our team.
Call or visit the surgery
If you cannot contact us online, you can still telephone or visit the surgery.
We process all requests in the same way, so no route is quicker than another.