No, accessing care should not take longer. In fact, the aim of total triage is to get patients to the right care more quickly and safely. Every request will be reviewed by a GP first, so instead of waiting for the next available appointment (which may or may not be the most suitable option), you’ll be directed to the type of care that best meets your needs.
This may be an appointment with a GP that knows you best, or an urgent appointment with one of our Advanced Practice Team. Some patients may not need an appointment at all and can be managed more quickly with advice, self-care guidance, tests, or signposting to local services such as Minor Injuries, Pharmacy First or TalkWorks. This helps us ensure that appointments are used for those who most need them, which improves overall access.
We’ll continue to monitor demand closely, and our intention is that total triage will make access faster, fairer, and more consistent for all patients.
