Triage System
What is the Triage System?
The Village Practice receives multiple calls and online requests every day from patients and other care providers.
In order to help patients get a decision surrounding their care as fast as possible, an experienced clinician must work out:
- How quickly the patient must be seen
- Who the best person is to see the patient
- Where the patient should be seen
- What kind of help the patient needs
Warning advice: Please Note
Why do we have a triage system?
Triage systems are widely used across the NHS. They can:
- Ensure that patients who need the most urgent care are seen first
- Streamline care by sending patients directly to the service where they see the most suitable healthcare professional for their needs (eg a pharmacy, A&E, GP practice)
- Free up appointments, to allow GPs and other Practice staff to see more patients everyday
Pharmacy First
The pharmacy first service can offer advice to patients and supply NHS medicines where clinically appropriate. This means patients can be diagnosed and treated for specific conditions without needing to see a GP or another healthcare professional. To find out more information about Pharmacy First, please click here.
Pharmacies are also equipped to help with minor illnesses e.g. coughs, colds, cystitis. Pharmacies often have a better knowledge of ‘over the counter’ products which will help you feel better and resolve your issues. If you have concerns about cost then please ask about the minor ailments scheme where you can access free medication if you are entitled.
New Problems or Problems that have got worse
If you have a medical problem that is new or has worsened, we advise all our patients to use our online consultation service online booking system, which can be used between 8am and 6:30pm Monday-Friday. We aim to get back to all online consultations within 24hours. Or, you can call our Patient Services Team who can complete the online form for you. All our appointments must be triaged first via the triage system described above.
We aim to help you see your preferred doctor but please be aware that due to our rota system, we are not always able to offer patients an urgent appointment with their named/preferred doctor.
Non-urgent advice: Please Note
We will not complete any administrative forms during consultations. Please submit your requests via the online form or put your request in writing and we will aim to review and complete appropriate requests within 30 days. Fit note requests are to be submitted via the online form and can take up to 48 hours to process.
Patient Online Access and NHS App
