Doctor First is not merely about a GP picking up a phone and calling a patient back 
it is much much more, for us it is about a transition to a new system and way in which we can safely and professionally help you move your business to better manage demand.

If you choose to let us help you move to a new system (not just Doctor First) we consider a whole range of things such as how staff and patients will accept it, a move in culture by working differently, training needs and sustainability. We also realise what it is like to work in general practice and so offer a personal approach that helps knowing we are usually just a phone call away.

We have helped many practices, below are a few thoughts from practices on the Doctor First system and our work.

We are now getting large amounts of enquries each month regarding support for introducing Doctor First. We are currently helping ocer 50 practices and have more planned for starting in April.  The system now covers more than 400,000 patients across UK. 

GP Practice

Cherry Mead Surgery - High Wycombe

Clinically we're now seeing problems which are pretty new, very few which have been brewing for two weeks, and some nasty things which would have been left for two weeks under the old system when they should have been dealt with right away.

Just thought I would send you an update on how the new system is going.

Can’t quite believe how smoothly it has gone, and the doctors are really liking it!  We have even had some (even those who were a little apprehensive!) sessions that have been half empty with face to face appointments The most interesting thing is that the very few pre-bookable appointments we have for next week, aren’t even full yet.

So, all in all, so far so good, and hopefully it will continue!

Best wishes

Patient Views

I would just like to send this to pass on to the practice manager.  I have just used your new appointment system for the first time today and I must say that I am very impressed with it.  I always felt that it was hard to get an appointment unless very far in advance which usually meant ringing up on the morning i wanted to go but I felt like a bit of a fraud as I felt that on a number of occasions it wasn't necessary for me to get seen straight away as not a major emergency and maybe the appointments could be used for someone more urgent but it was the only way to do it.  This new way is good as it can prioritise the patients to see more urgent cases first.  I also had a very positive experience when seeing the doctor today (Dr G) as I felt he was really ready to listen and took time to explain things to me which sometimes doesn't happen and you can sometimes feel rushed.  I know people will be very quick to complain so I really wanted to let you know about the positive experience I have had today.

Patient, Woodseats Medical Centre, Sheffield.

“I like the new service. Previously I have really struggled to get an appointment as the surgery is really busy. I have called around four to five times in the six weeks and have always had a call back within a couple of hours and a result straight away from the call. “Although I have never actually met Dr ****, who is not my regular doctor, I feel he fully understood the problem, he came across so caring and really helped me. “It brings back the ‘bedside manner’ the NHS has been missing for so long. “Thank you for the great service, I really feel the surgery has saved my mental state and helped with my pain by saving the stress of appointment hell.”

Patient at Wheatbridge Surgery, which implemented Doctor First® in 2012