Dear Patient,

GPs and their practice teams provide the vast majority of NHS care outside of hospitals, supporting you and your family throughout your lives.

‍

In a perfect world, we would be able to offer every patient:

‍

• Safety – prompt access to a GP or practice nurse you trust, with well-staffed surgeries and enough resources so that no patient feels left behind.
• Stability – a family doctor who knows you, your medical history and your community, without the stress of struggling to get an appointment.
• Hope for the future – care that focuses on keeping you well, not just treating illness. We want more time for meaningful consultations, joined-up support closer to home, and modern premises supported by safe and effective technology.

‍

The government talks about “bringing back the family doctor”, but what is promised is not always planned or funded in a way that makes it achievable in practice.

‍

We aim to respond to all appointment and advice requests promptly, prioritising those most in need. At times, we may need to offer you an appointment on another day or direct you to a more appropriate service.

‍

For safety reasons, urgent medical requests cannot be accepted via our online system. If your need is urgent, please call the practice or attend reception. Prioritising urgent cases may mean longer waiting times for routine or non-urgent appointments.

‍

The requirement to allow unlimited online access for non-urgent requests during core hours may result in hospital-style waiting lists as demand continues to rise.

‍

We are here to guide you through the NHS, co-ordinate your care, and support you to stay healthy. We want every patient to feel safe and confident in their GP practice, now and in the future.

‍

GPs are on your side

The challenges your practice faces:

‍

• Rising demand, fewer GPs – GPs are now caring for significantly more patients than in previous years, but with fewer doctors available.
• Practice closures – Many GP practices have closed over the past decade, reducing local access and increasing waiting times.
• Funding pressures – Practices receive, on average, around 31p per patient per day to provide care, making it difficult to maintain and expand services.
• Workforce challenges – More GPs are leaving the NHS than joining. While our staff work tirelessly, system pressures can impact morale and wellbeing.
• Unsafe workloads – Many GPs are seeing more patients than is considered safe, often working long hours.
• Ageing buildings – Many GP surgeries are outdated, with limited investment in modern facilities.
• Access versus continuity – Current policies often prioritise speed of access over seeing a familiar clinician.
• Demand management – We prioritise urgent cases, which can lead to longer waits for routine care.

‍

In addition, we may face challenges beyond our control, including:

‍

• Delays in hospital services and long waiting lists
• Staffing shortages
• Mandatory NHS training requirements
• Unforeseen events
• IT system issues
• Limited investment in buildings and infrastructure
• Public health emergencies

‍

Opening hours and emergencies

• Our core hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:30pm
• Consultations take place within these hours
• At certain times (such as lunch or home visits), a clinician may not be present on-site

‍

In an emergency, please call 999 or attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department.

‍

We believe patients deserve more

• GP services are under increasing pressure, caring for more patients with limited resources
• Without proper investment, the safety, stability and continuity of care patients value most are at risk
• With the right support, we could expand services, employ more staff, and provide more timely and personalised care

‍

Please remember that GP funding currently averages around 31p per patient per day, which does not reflect the growing demand for services.

‍

We ask for your understanding and patience, and thank you for your continued support as we do our best to care for you and your family.

‍

You can find more information in NHS England’s You and Your General Practice document.

‍

Last Updated: 30 September 2025