Before you request an appointment, find out how pharmacies can help you

 

Introducing Rapid Health – Our New Online Triage and Appointment System

To request an appointment, please click here – https://hampton-consult.uk.rapidhealth.co.uk/

All GP appointments must come through Rapid Health. This online system is designed to make it quicker and easier for patients to access the right care at the right time, based on your symptoms, you will be offered an appointment at the end of the form. Rapid Health is open for patients to submit their requests from 8am – 6.30pm on weekdays.

 

So, what actually is Rapid Health?

Rapid Health is an online triage and appointment system that allows you to request medical advice or book appointments without needing to phone the practice. All we need from you is a working email address which you can enter in your NHS app or through the practice website: https://hamptonmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/update-your-details/

When you submit a request, you will be asked a series of questions about your problem. Based on your answers, Rapid Health will:

• Offer appointments in the most appropriate timeframe based on GP assessment of clinical need.
• Highlight urgent symptoms and, where necessary, guide you to urgent or emergency care

This approach helps us get it right first time, reduces waiting times for urgent problems, and improves patient safety.

How is this going to benefit me and other patients?

• No more 8.00 am phone queues or long waits on hold
• Faster access for urgent medical issues
• Choice of appointment type where appropriate (face-to-face, phone)
• Fair and consistent triage for all patients

 

Rapid Health can also be used to submit administrative requests, including:

• Sick / fit notes
• Doctors’ letters
• Prescription requests

 

I don’t have access to the internet, what happens now?

If you are unable to access Rapid Health online, please phone the surgery. A member of our administration team will take you through the rapid access triage form, which will then subsequently lead to an appointment or review by the emergency doctor or administration support.

Rapid Health helps us keep patients safe, reduce delays, and ensure you are seen by the right person at the right time.

ACCESS RAPID HEALTH HERE

We are currently working on adding a feature so patients can access the form via the NHS App.

Rapid Health – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Rapid Health?

Rapid Health is an NHS-approved online triage and appointment system for patients aged 16 and over. It helps ensure you are seen by the right clinician, at the right time, based on your medical need.

Why are we changing to Rapid Health?

With the ever-growing demand within the NHS, we are continuously looking at ways we can increase capacity. To achieve this, and ensure patients are receiving the best possible care, we have opted to use the Rapid Health triage tool which will allow us to maximise availability, and ensure patients are seeing the right clinician in the appropriate time frame.

We know patients want easier and faster access to appointments. Due to increasing demand, we are introducing Rapid Health to:

• Reduce waiting times
• Improve patient safety
• Match patients with the most appropriate clinician
• Remove the need for 8am phone queues

This helps us “get it right first time”.

How does Rapid Health work?

You will be asked a short series of questions about your problem. Based on your answers, Rapid Health will:

• Identify if your problem is urgent
• Offer an appropriate appointment type
• Match you with the most suitable clinician

Your clinician will also be able to review your information before your appointment.

How do I book an appointment?

Appointments can be requested:

• Online via our practice website (Monday – Friday, 8am – 6.30pm), or
• By phone or in person, where our reception team can complete the form with you

Why do I need to complete an online questionnaire?

All patients will be asked to answer questions using the online form or via the reception team when booking their appointment. Your answers help the system find the right appointment for you. This also means the clinician will have the relevant information prior to your appointment, enabling them to have more time to provide quality care to you.

Can I still phone the surgery?

Yes. If you are unable to use the website, our reception team will help you in completing the form.

Can I use the NHS App or Patient Access to book appointments?

No. Appointments can only be booked via Rapid Health or through reception.
You can still use the NHS App to:

• View your medical record
• Check test results
• Order repeat prescriptions

Can I pre-book an appointment?

Yes. Once you complete the Rapid Health questions, you may be offered:

• Telephone or face-to-face appointments
• Appointments up to two weeks in advance, where appropriate

What if I need a same-day urgent appointment?

If your problem is clinically urgent, Rapid Health will offer same-day appointments or direct you to urgent care where needed.

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, it means it means that your request has been passed to the Duty Dr who will triage your request and arrange contact within 2 working days.

Will online patients get appointments faster than phone patients?

No. The benefit of online access is convenience, not priority.

Can I choose a specific clinician?

Where appropriate, you will be offered a choice of clinicians with availability.

Why have I been offered an appointment with a different clinician?

We aim to ensure patients see the most appropriate healthcare professional. This may include:

• GPs
• Nurse Practitioners
• Pharmacist

All work as part of the clinical team.

What if I wasn’t offered an appointment?

If no suitable appointment is immediately available, you can still submit your request.
A clinician will review it and the practice will contact you within two working days.

Are all appointments available on Rapid Health?

No. Some appointments must still be booked through reception, including:

• Children under 16
• Nurse and Health Care Assistant appointments (e.g. blood tests, vaccinations, smears)
• Annual reviews (Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, Hypertension)
• Medication reviews
• Postnatal and baby checks
• NHS Health Checks
• Minor surgery and contraceptive procedures
• Home visits

Why can’t children under 16 be offered an appointment via Rapid Health?

This is currently in development. For safety reasons, under-16 appointments must be triaged by a clinician, therefore Rapid Health will not offer an appointment automatically for anyone under 16 years of age.

My problem is personal. Do I have to explain it?

All information is confidential and saved securely in your medical record.

Can I request admin items through Rapid Health?

Yes. Rapid Health can be used for:

• Sick / fit notes
• Doctors’ letters
• General administrative queries
• Travel clinic requests
• Register for electronic prescribing

Can I order prescriptions through Rapid Health?

Repeat prescriptions should continue to be ordered in writing via:

• NHS App
• Your pharmacy
• Via email
• Via handwritten note

Who books follow-up appointments?

Your clinician will arrange follow-up appointments if needed.

What if I need an interpreter or extra support?

After booking, please contact the surgery and let reception know. We will arrange this for you.

When does Rapid Health start?

Rapid Health will go live on 20^th April 2026