New Appointment Booking System – RAPID HEALTH

Introducing Rapid Health – Our New Online Triage and Appointment System

Launching 20th April 2026

We are introducing Rapid Health, a new online system designed to make it quicker and easier for patients to access the right care at the right time.

From 20.04.2026, Rapid Health will replace our current online platform and become the main way to contact the surgery.

What 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.

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

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

How this benefits patients

Administrative requests made easier

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

How to access Rapid Health

From 20/04/2026, we ask that all patient contacts come through Rapid Health, which can be accessed via our practice website.

All we need from you now 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/

If you cannot use the website

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.

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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:

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:

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

How do I book an appointment?

Appointments can be requested:

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:

Can I pre-book an appointment?

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

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:

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:

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:

Can I order prescriptions through Rapid Health?

Repeat prescriptions should continue to be ordered in writing via:

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 20th April 2026