Appointment Update – May 2026

Accessing Your GP Services at Poplar Grove

NHS England is asking GP practices across the UK to become more digital, making it easier for patients to access the care they need.

At Poplar Grove, we introduced our online eConsult service in April 2025. Since then, we have successfully received and managed over 67,000 eConsult submissions.

If you need help from your GP, using eConsult is the quickest and most convenient way to get started. You can complete the form from 8am to 6.30pm weekdays, without waiting on the phone, and your request is sent directly to the practice for review.

To help us manage the high demand for appointments safely and appropriately, all eConsult submissions are reviewed (triaged) by a GP. This allows us to assess how urgent your request is and ensure you are directed to the right care. You will receive a response by the next working day with advice or confirmation of next steps for arranging an appointment.

We offer a number of same-day emergency appointments, supported by a team that includes a GP, paramedics, and a nurse, alongside our routine appointments. Once these same-day appointments are full, we reach our safe clinical capacity for the day. If you still need urgent care at that point, you may be directed to alternative services such as NHS 111.

If your request is assessed as routine, please note:

  • The current waiting time for a routine appointment is approximately 4-6 weeks, which is in line with NHS guidance, but we are working hard to reduce this waiting time,
  • Requests for a specific GP may take slightly longer.
  • We will contact you with your appointment date and time when bookings become available there is no need to contact us in the meantime.
  • Please avoid submitting duplicate eConsult forms unless your symptoms change or worsen, as this can delay processing times.

Using eConsult helps us respond more efficiently and keeps phone lines free for patients who need additional support, including elderly and vulnerable individuals.

If you are unsure how to use the system, our team is happy to help most patients find it simple and convenient once they’ve tried it.

These changes are designed to save you time and give you greater flexibility, allowing you to access care without always needing to visit or call the surgery.

Poplar Grove Partners