What is Rapid Health Triage? watch video here Rapid Health – Patient Explainer Video
🚀 Introducing Our New Appointment Booking System: Rapid Health Triage
Launching Monday, 16th February 2026, Shefford Health Centre is excited to roll out a new and improved way for you to request appointments — the Rapid Health Triage System.
We’ve heard your frustrations with the 8am phone rush, long queues, and difficulty booking appointments. The new system is designed to make it easier, faster, and fairer for everyone to access the care they need. This is the next step up from the current process.
🌐 How It Works
- Fill in a simple online form – it takes about 4 minutes.
- Receive an email with either an appointment offer or professional advice.
- Choose your clinician and appointment type (face-to-face or phone), if available.
📺 Watch this short explainer video: Rapid Health – Patient Explainer
❓ Why the Change?
We’re responding to your feedback. With increasing demand and limited GP/Clinical time, Rapid Health helps:
- Ensure fairer access for all patients
- Match you with the most appropriate clinician
- Reduce phone line pressure
- Provide quicker, more accurate care
🔍 What Is Rapid Health?
An NHS-approved digital triage tool that lets you:
- Submit a medical request
- Make an admin request
- Access self-help advice from trusted NHS sources
👉 From our website, just click Rapid Health and choose:
- 🩺 Medical Request – for symptoms or concerns
- 📄 Admin Request – for forms, notes, prescriptions, and more
- 💡 Self-Help – for instant trusted health information
📅 Important Dates & Preparation
Launch Date: Monday, 16th February 2026
Before Then:
📧 Please make sure we have your up-to-date email address.
📲 Look out for a text inviting you to update your contact info
🧾 Booking an Appointment – Step-by-Step
Starting 16th February:
- Visit our website and click ‘Access Rapid Health Triage’
- Select the option that suits your need:
- Adult Medical Request – for new health concerns
- Questions & Admin – for prescriptions, forms, letters, results
- Self-Help – for NHS guidance
- Provide your name, date of birth, postcode, email, and contact details
- Answer a few brief questions
🩺 The system will either:
- Offer an appropriate appointment
- Forward your request to a GP for review — we’ll respond within 48 hours
🚫 PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE
💻 Don’t Worry – We’re Here to Help!
If you struggle with online forms, our reception team can help you complete the form over the phone.
📌 FAQs
⏰ What time is Rapid Health available?
🕖 From 7:30am, Monday to Friday. It will close once that day’s safe capacity is reached.
👩⚕️ Who can I book an appointment with?
- GPs
- Advanced Nurse Practitioners
- Minor Illness Clinicians
🤔 Can I choose a specific GP?
Yes — if your preferred clinician is available, their name will appear for selection.
🗓 Can I pre-book?
Yes — appointments are allocated based on clinical need and availability.
🚫 What’s Not Currently Covered by Rapid Health?
Please contact reception directly for:
- Nurse appointments (e.g. blood tests, vaccinations, smear tests)
- Annual condition reviews (e.g. diabetes, asthma, heart)
- Medication reviews
- 6-week baby checks and postnatal care
- Contraceptive advice and prescriptions
- NHS Health Checks
- Home visits
🧍♂️ Confidentiality
Your personal information is securely stored in your medical record.
Reception staff follow strict confidentiality rules — if your concern is private, they will handle it discreetly.
🌍 No Internet? No Problem
📞 Call the practice and a receptionist will help you complete the online form.
👨👩👧👦 Carers, Family Members & Housebound Patients
You can submit a form on behalf of someone over 16, with their consent.
- For children under 16, complete a request on their behalf — the GP will follow up directly or call our reception team.
- Let us know if you’re a carer or if you or someone you care for is housebound.
- Let us know if you need an interpreter.
✉️ Admin Requests
Use this option for:
- Sick notes
- Test results – These can also be seen on the NHS App
- GP letters
- Prescription issues
- General admin queries
📱 Repeat Prescriptions
Please continue using the NHS App, SystmOnline.
📍 Where to Find Rapid Health
From 16 February, find the Rapid Health button on our homepage.
📲 Integration with the NHS App is coming soon!
📲 Integration with the SystmOnline no plans!
❗Troubleshooting
💬 I wasn’t offered an appointment – what now?
If your request wasn’t matched to an appointment, it’s would have been passed to a Triage GP for review. You’ll be contacted within 48 hours.
📆 Who books follow-ups?
Your clinician will arrange any follow-up needed.
👶 Why can’t I book directly for under 16s?
This feature is in development. For now, please complete a request on their behalf or call reception.
🙋 Have More Questions?
Still unsure about something?
Fill in our general query form (Please don’t submit medical or appointment requests via this form).
We’re learning this new system alongside you — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
🎥 Watch again: Rapid Health – Patient Explainer Video
