Important Information About our Online Consultation Tool – October 2025

Posted by: danihaynes - Posted on:

We are pleased to be able to offer an online consultation tool as part of our service. They can be a
convenient way for you to contact us about your health and can often save you time. However, we want to
remind you that online queries are not always suitable for every situation. What follows is advice on how to
get the best out of the online consultation tool and, importantly, use it safely.
When using the online consultation tool may not be safe
Using online forms or messages for urgent or serious symptoms can sometimes delay the care you need.
For example, online consultation tools are not appropriate if you are experiencing:

  • Chest pain or difficulty breathing
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Signs of a stroke (such as sudden weakness, facial droop, or difficulty speaking)
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Sudden confusion or collapse
  • Any situation where you feel your life may be at risk
    In these circumstances, please call 999 immediately or go straight to the nearest Accident & Emergency
    department.
    When to call instead
  • If your problem is urgent but not life-threatening, please telephone the practice so that we can assess
    and advise you quickly.
    How to use the online consultation tool safely
    Online consultation tools work best for:
  • Routine queries
  • Requests for sick notes for a condition already assessed by a clinician at the surgery
  • Non-urgent health advice
  • Follow-up questions about existing conditions
    By using the service appropriately, you help us to keep it safe and effective for everyone. Please be aware
    that if the number of queries rises above safe capacity then the queries may be added to a waiting list to be
    answered at a future date.
    Patients are encouraged to check if an alternative service could answer their query.
    For example, if the query is about a hospital appointment or visit – contact the hospital department, or if it
    is about a medication – use the NHS app to request repeats or contact your community pharmacy. More
    information on the range of services available to you can be found on our website:
    https://www.themeadowsthrapston.nhs.uk
    Thank you for your understanding and for helping us provide the best possible care four you and all our
    patients.
    The Meadows Surgery Team