15/08/2025
We Are Moving to DrFirst
We understand that accessing GP services can sometimes be challenging. Earlier this year, we participated in the General Practice Improvement Programme (GPIP), a quality improvement initiative for general practice. Building on this work, we are introducing a new appointment system, DrFirst, from 8th September 2025, in response to feedback from our Patient Participation Group, patients, and our own experience.
Both our GPs and Advanced Nurse Practitioners will be trialling this system.
When you contact us for an appointment, you will be asked to complete a request form, either electronically or on paper. The information you provide will be reviewed by a clinician as part of a triage-based system. Based on your needs, the clinician will decide the most appropriate course of action, which may include:
A telephone appointment
A face-to-face consultation
Prescription
Referral or signposting to another local service
A member of the practice team will then contact you with the next steps. This could be the GP, Nurse Practitioner, or a member of our administration team.
DrFirst operates on a same-day triage model, so pre-booking will be limited. This model increases appointment capacity by ensuring that our GPs and Advanced Nurses see the patients who need their care most, while also reducing missed appointments and improving overall access.
In recent weeks, following the successful recruitment of both administrative and clinical staff, we have begun implementing aspects of this model, and early engagement has been positive. We hope this momentum continues to improve patient care and access.
We welcome continued feedback from our patients. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we implement this new system.
www.cranbrookmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/we-are-moving-to-drfirst/
