Important Patient Update – Changes from 1st October 2025
Important Patient Update – Changes from 1st October 2025
From 1st October 2025, all GP practices in the UK must follow new requirements set out in the GP contract. We are required to make changes to the way our booking system currently operates. This means there are changes to how you will access appointments at the Willingham Medical Practice and Longstanton Surgery.
Why this change is happening?
The change is part of NHS England’s commitment to improving patient access. Contractual changes with the Government GP contracts. Many patient’s requests can be safely managed online, often with a reply within hours. This avoids long waits on the phone and ensures appointments go to those most in need. The system is already used successfully in many other practices across the UK.
What does this mean for you, as a patient?
Instead of always phoning the practice directly, requests for a GP appointments can be made using an online triage form. The form can be completed on a smartphone, the NHS App, or our practice website. Here, you will provide details about your symptoms or admin request. A senior clinician will review your form and decide the most appropriate next step.
How will we respond?
Once assessed, we will contact you to explain how your request will be managed. This may include:
- – A face-to-face or telephone appointment with a GP or clinician.
- – An appointment with an in-house nurse, physiotherapist or pharmacist.
- – Signposting you to a more suitable service, for example the Minor Injuries Unit or Pharmacy.
- – Providing healthcare advice or digital guidance without the need for you to come into practice.
Support for patients
If you cannot access the form online, our reception team will still be available by phone to help, which could include guiding you through completing online form.
Please note, there are no changes to booking appointments with our Practice Nurses, wound care, vaccinations or chronic disease reviews (diabetes, asthma, COPD).
How to help us help you
To make sure we can triage your request effectively, please provide:
- – How long you’ve had your symptoms.
- – The severity and impact on your daily life.
- – Any treatment you’ve already tried.
- – Only include one problem per form.
- – Keep your phone, email, and text details up to date so we can contact you with your preferred method of contact in a timely manner.
Appointment types available
- – Same day – we will contact you to confirm your same day appointment.
- – Within 1-3 weeks – for less urgent needs.
- – Within 12 weeks – for routine requests.
Out of hours
Patient Triage is open Monday to Friday during our core hours which are 08:00 – 18:30. For advice when we are closed, please contact NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency.