Earlier this month, Richard visited Sandy Health Centre.
Speaking after the visit he said:
I had a positive catch up meeting with the Health Centre in Sandy. The team is working hard to provide timely and high-quality care to local residents and it was a pleasure to meet the new practice manager. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that, in most cases, patients are able to get a same-day appointment with a GP or clinician.
A key part of our discussion was the practice’s online triage system, Klinik. While designed to help manage demand and prioritise care more effectively, I had heard from some constituents that they found the system cumbersome and time consuming to complete. I was encouraged to hear that the team is actively reviewing the system and exploring alternative platforms that should offer a more efficient and user-friendly experience. Improving digital access is a clear priority, and the team is also looking at ways to support patients who may struggle with online systems, ensuring no one is left behind as services evolve.
This review comes in the context of NHS England’s mandate that all GP practices adopt a Total Triage model by October 2025. This approach is intended to move away from the 8am phone call rush, giving patients the ability to submit their healthcare needs online at any time of day, so practices can assess and respond more efficiently.
As ever, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. Please feel free to email at [email protected] to share what you feel is working well, and where further improvements could be made.
