03/02/2026
🌟 Why We Release Appointments Daily From 08:00 🌟
At Auchtermuchty Practice, we want to be transparent about how our appointment system works and why it continues to operate in this way.
We hope this helps explain the reasons behind our approach.
📈 A Significant Rise in Patient Demand
Over the past few year, we have experienced nearly a 30% increase in patient demand. This level of demand makes it impossible to always meet every request immediately, and while we truly understand patient frustration, it reflects the reality of service pressures across healthcare.
With this surge in demand, if we were to offer advance booking, our appointments would inevitably become fully booked weeks ahead, meaning patients would wait even longer for care.
Our current daily-release system helps avoid this.
🩺 Why Daily On-the-Day Appointments Work Best
Releasing appointments each morning at 08:00 offers greater flexibility for both patients and clinicians. Healthcare is unpredictable — for example, if a clinician phones in sick and has a full pre-booked clinic, we would have nowhere to safely reallocate those appointments. This would result in even longer waits and delays.
By booking on the day, we can adapt quickly to staffing changes, urgent cases, and real-time demand, ensuring safer and more responsive care.
We identified a substantial reduction in missed appointments when patients were scheduled on the day, as opposed to several weeks in advance. This approach supports more efficient utilisation of our finite daily appointment capacity and reduces the likelihood of appointments being wasted.
👩⚕️ Appointment Options to Suit Your Needs
We provide both face-to-face and telephone appointments, along with a robust process to prioritise those who need urgent care the same day.
💊 Pharmacy First – Fast Treatment for Minor Conditions
Remember, you may not need to see a GP at all. Pharmacy First Scotland allows community pharmacists to advise, treat, or refer for a wide range of common conditions, including sore throat, earache, cold sores, and urinary tract infections.
This service was introduced to ensure people can access the right care in the right place, easing pressure on GP surgeries and providing faster help for minor, self-limiting issues.
📞 Fairer Telephone Access
Following patient feedback, we upgraded our telephone system to include a queueing function. This ensures calls are answered fairly and in order, reducing the need for repeated redialling and improving your experience, especially during busy periods.
We know the current pressures on appointments can be frustrating, and we genuinely appreciate your understanding.
Our team is committed to delivering the best care possible despite rising demand, and we continue to adapt our systems to support you.
