The Practice has 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. The NHS is moving towards these smart triage systems. In the Reading Central PCN, all practices are using this tool.

• Contact the practice online with Rapid Health

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.

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 advise on the most appropriate clinician to see and in what timeframe.

When to Use Rapid Health

Rapid Health can be used:

• For all health problems/concerns
• To discuss test results
• To request Sick/Fit notes
• To request Doctor’s letters/reports

For the below requests, you should call the surgery:

• For children under 16 years of age
• Booking blood tests
• Smears & other nurse appointments

Please Note:

To accurately triage your query, please provide careful and honest answers when submitting your form.The answers you provide on this query form will be saved to your medical record and will affect your care.

We also require these forms to be completed with as much information as possible, otherwise these will be returned for resubmission.

• Rapid Health service is currently for age 16+ years only.
• We will be accepting prescription requests for our patients under the age of 16 via our practice email address.
• Appointments can only be booked between Monday – Friday, 7am to 6pm.
• Our extended hours are reserved solely for pre-booked appointments.
• When booking an appointment please only discuss 1 problem per questionnaire.
• Test results can be requested via the admin section or by calling the reception team. If you have been sent a message to book a telephone call to discuss your results, please call us to book this appointment.
• Nurse or Health Care Assistant appointments (including blood test and Cervical screenings) are booked via the reception team.
• Please call the surgery to book the above appointments as well as appointments for under 16’s.

For all patients who are under 16 years of age and require an appointment, you will be unable to complete a form using Rapid Health currently. Please continue to ring the surgery for all admin and clinical requests, as per our current advice, where our reception team will be happy to assist with your query or help book you an appointment.

We intend to implement Rapid Health for under 16 patients in the future and will be contacting patients again in the future to advise of this change.

Further Information and Support

To support patients with using the new platform and to ensure its success, our admin/reception team will be available to help.

Our PPG have already seen the system which they feel will give patients another means of getting the right medical help without having to wait on the phone. It will also mean that patients who are not happy to go online should have shorter waits on the phone.

Rapid Health FAQ

What is Rapid Health?

Rapid health is an AI driven triage tool approved by the NHS which allows you to book appointments quickly and offers more patient choice and availability by offering you the right appointment with the right clinician first time.

How do I book an appointment?

The link to access Rapid Health is posted on our website. See new green tile.

However, we understand that not everyone can use online services and our reception team will still be available on the phone and in person.

Can I use Rapid Health through my NHS App?

Not at the moment. However, this is currently in development so keep an eye out for further updates.

Will I still be able to book appointments via Patient Access and NHS App?

You won’t be able to book GP appointments through these apps anymore, however, you can still book appointments for routine screening and follow-ups, such as cervical screening, NHS Health Checks, blood tests, asthma reviews and contraceptive pill checks. You will also still be able to view your medical records and test results, and order repeat medication.

What do I do if I want to see a specific GP?

When you are booking an appointment, the clinicians with available appointments will be shown.

What do I do if I want to pre-book an appointment?

All our appointments will be available. After completing the Rapid Health questions an appointment will be offered within an appropriate time frame.

Will all Clinicians be on Rapid Health?

Rapid Health is primarily used for the booking of appointments, however depending on your presenting complaint you may be offered a referral to local services.

Why have I been offered an appointment with this Clinician?

Patients will be offered an appointment with the most appropriate clinician based on their clinical need.

I require an interpreter/assistance for my appointment.

All patients will receive an email confirming their appointment. In this message it will tell you to contact the surgery if you require an interpreter or assistance.

I was not offered an appointment, what do I do?

Once you have completed our triage questionnaire we will offer an appointment in the most appropriate time frame. If you have not received an appointment, your issue will be triaged.