Many of the online requests patients submit each day are rejected. This is because they are either unsuitable, missing relevant information, where appropriate do not contain images. Before you submit your request, please read the below guide:
What online medical requests are good for and not good for:
- Requests for Fit Notes for periods more than 7 days and medical letters
- Simple clinical queries where you don’t need a discussion or an examination with a clinician, i.e. where we can respond to you via SMS
- Fit notes less than 7 days. Your GP cannot issue a fit note for short periods. You must self-certify with your employer and can find more info here
- Infections or urgent issues – call the practice between 8:00 – 10.30 am or 2.00 – 4.00 pm to request a call-back with the duty doctor
- Complex clinical issues that need a discussion or examination – please contact the surgery to book a routine appointment
- New referral requests – please contact the surgery for a routine appointment if you feel you need a referral request
- Prescription requests – read more here
- Requesting appointments or sending a message to a particular member of staff
Once you have submitted your request, a clinician will review and respond to your within 2 working days. More complex requests can sometimes take longer to process. Thank you.
Online consultations must be:
Straightforward
Online forms are great for simple requests that can be actioned quickly and don’t need a discussion. If you believe you need a discussion or an examination, please book a routine appointment by calling reception.
Routine, not urgent
We typically respond to online requests within 2 working days and up to 5 working days for administrative requests, but more complex requests can take longer. If your issue is an emergency, call 111/999.
Clear and detailed
Please provide as much information as possible, including any treatments tried. For simple issues (e.g. skin and nail problems, seasonal allergies, coughs and colds, aches & pains), we often direct patients back to their local pharmacist.
Accompanied by good quality images
Please ensure you attach clear images for any skin lesions including rashes, nail problems, hair issues, acne, lumps and swellings. Where images are needed but the shots are blurry or poor quality, we will likely reject your online consultation.
For a single issue only
The Online Consultation tool has been developed to collect information on one issue at a time. We will ask you to resubmit online consultations that contain multiple requests.
ONLINE CONSULTS THAT ARE UNSUITABLE WILL NOT BE PASSED ON TO THE CLINICAL TEAM.