New triage and online consultation tool – launching Monday, 3 November 2025

Why are we changing things?

We recognise that accessing appointments has been difficult and frustrating.  With the ever-increasing demand for GP services, we are changing to RAPID HEALTH triage and online consultation tool to:

It takes about 5 minutes to answer a series of questions about your problem, Rapid Health tool then:

Appointments such as nurse, phlebotomy, annual reviews etc you continue to book via patient advisers (PAs), or in response to text invites.

We understand that not everyone can complete a Rapid Health questionnaire online for GP/ANP appointments.  Two tablets will be fitted in discreet areas of reception, so your privacy is increased, and queues at the front desk are reduced.  The team will be on hand to help you get started using Rapid Health.  There is also the option to call the practice, and a patient adviser will take you through the questionnaire.  However, waiting times on the phone are likely to be longer as a result.

We understand that using a new online system can raise many questions.  To help make your experience as smooth as possible, we’ve compiled some FAQs for Rapid Health.  

RAPID HEALTH FAQs

What is Rapid Health?

Rapid Health is our triage and online consultation tool. It automatically navigates patient’s acute medical requests and based on the information you provide, Rapid Health:

  • prioritises appointments based on medical need
  • will show you available appointments (if it can be booked directly)
  • or sends your request on for clinical review, advice or signposting to another service

How to Access Rapid Health

You can access Rapid Health in the following ways:

  • Online via a link on our website
  • At the practice: Use one of the kiosks available in the reception area if you do not have a computer or smart phone (support is available). To improve patient confidentiality and waiting times – GP/ANP appointments are requested on tablets in the Practice (not at the front desk).
  • Via a QR code on posters in the Practice.
  • By phone: Call us on 01983 295 251 a Patient Advisor will help complete it with you.

When is Rapid Health available to use?

Rapid Health is available:

  • Monday to Friday, 8:00am–6:30pm
  • Requests are reviewed during our working hours.

Who can use Rapid Health?

  • Patients registered at Cowes Medical Centre (aged 16 or over).
  • If you are caring for someone and have their permission, you may also submit a request on their behalf.
  • Visitors (temporary residents) cannot use Rapid Health as they are not registered at the Practice – please contact your own surgery in the first instance (they should be able to assist with medication requests, sick notes etc remotely)

What about appointments for children?
Rapid Health can be used for children.  For safety reasons, appointments for children are navigated to available appointments that day.

Can I use Rapid Health in my native language?
Currently, Rapid Health is only available in English, but future updates may include support for other languages.

What if I require an interpreter/or assistance for my appointment?
Please call the Practice when you have booked your appointment to arrange this.

Are all appointments requested via Rapid Health?

No, Rapid Health is for acute health concerns (illness that develops quickly, is intense or severe).  That’s about 50% of all our GP/ANP appointment requests.

Rapid Health Patient Advisers/Text Invites
GP

ANP

Paediatric ANP

Mental Health

 

(not home visit requests)

 Annual reviews (diabetes, hypertension, respiratory)

Contraceptive procedures

Covid and flu vaccinations

Dietitian

Follow-up appointments

Health & wellbeing coach

Home visits

Medication reviews

NHS health checks

Nursing appointments (cervical screening, leg ulcers, child or travel vaccinations, injections)

Phlebotomy

Postnatal

Social prescriber

What Can I Use It For?

Use Rapid Health to:

  • Request help with medical symptoms or conditions
  • Submit a question to your GP or nurse
  • Ask for a sick note or test result (please use the NHS App)
  • Request referrals or repeat prescriptions
  • Submit a general admin query (e.g. change of details)

How many health concerns can I submit in one go?
Please focus on your main concern in each request. For each unrelated issue, you need to submit a separate request. 

What should I do if I enter my symptoms in Rapid Health and either no results are found, or the listed options don’t apply to me?
Click on the link at the bottom of the screen that says, “Alternatively, you can view the full list of options available to you here”. 

Why can’t I just write a description of what I’m experiencing, like I used to with eConsult?
We understand it can feel easier to simply write down your symptoms, but the questions match you with the right type of appointment according to medical need – saving clinical review time for appointments.

What do I do if I want to see a specific GP or ANP?
You will be offered an appointment with the most appropriate clinician(s) in the most appropriate timeframe and you can choose from this list.  Clinicians can book/request follow up appointments.

What Happens After I Submit My Request?

  • The majority of patients will be offered appointment options based on clinical need and sent a link to book an appointment yourself.
  • If your request needs to be reviewed by a clinician, it will be assessed and prioritised based on medical need, and you will be contacted on next steps later that day. This may include being signposted to another service eg NHS Dentist, pharmacy first.

What happens if I enter incorrect personal details, like my postcode or date of birth?
You will see an error message guiding you to make the necessary corrections.  Rapid Health is checking your details so that your request is recorded on your patient record.

How can I be sure Rapid Health links to my record and not someone else with the same name?
Rapid Health uses more than just your name to identify you.  It checks multiple pieces of information: your date of birth, address and contact details to ensure that your request is correctly linked to your unique medical record.

What do I do if I make a mistake when choosing the time/date of an appointment?
You can use the link in the confirmation email to update or cancel your booking or call the Practice.  If you cancel because of a mistake on your form but still need an appointment, you can submit a new request.

Follow-Up Appointments or Questions

If a clinician has discussed booking a follow-up, they should arrange it during your consultation. If no appointment has been made, you can:

  • Submit a “Question for the GP” via Rapid Health, near the time you were asked to follow up
  • Mention this in your admin request, so our team can review and arrange care appropriately

Requesting Home Visits

  • Home visits are for housebound patients (bed bound) or patients unable to leave their home – patients who are mobile are expected to arrange their own transport and attend the Practice.
  • If you are housebound and need a home visit, please call us after 8:30am but before 11.30am

Requesting Prescriptions
The NHS App is the best way to view and request repeat prescriptions, however it is also possible to request repeat prescriptions via Rapid Health (but it may take the Practice longer to process this).

Will Rapid Health consider my medical history?
Rapid Health is a navigation tool, it does not review your medical history, only the information you enter as you request an appointment.  However, it is designed to check for any significant conditions related to the symptoms you submit.

This is a shared computer/tablet – will the next person be able to see what I sent on Rapid Health?
No, you request details and answers are not stored.  Once you submit your answers only the Practice can view them.

Other Online Services

You can still use the NHS App or Systm Online to:

  • Order repeat prescriptions
  • View your medical records
  • Update personal details

Still Have Questions?
If you need help completing a request, or you aren’t sure whether to use Rapid Health, give us a call and one of our team will guide you.  The system is new to us too, but we will do our best to answer your questions and to make the new system work for everyone.

Preparing for the change to Rapid Health

In preparation for the switch over to Rapid Health we are having to limit the pre-booking of appointments.  We are aware that this is frustrating, and we are working to try and increase the number of appointments available to clear the backlog.

For those patients that are requiring follow ups, you will be asked by your clinician to contact us around the day you require your follow up to book in, or, if an appointment is required after 3 November 2025, to contact us once Rapid Health has gone live.  This change does not affect any appointments already booked.

IMPORTANT:  to be able to book appointments via Rapid Health you will need to provide an email address to the Practice.  Click on the ‘Update your Details’ on this website.