Changes to GP Contract Posted or Updated on 30 Sep 2025

From 1st October 2025 the NHS is enforcing contract changes on GP practices that have not been agreed by GPs and their representatives. 

One of these changes is to allow uncontrolled access through our on-line consultation service, Patchs, for the entirerity of the practice opening hours (08.00 - 18.30) for non-urgent matters. This will mean that clinical and non-clinical staff will be diverted to dealing with these which will mean less resources potentially for dealing with more urgent medical needs. It may also lead to us having to create "waiting lists" for certain issues, which at the moment we do not have to do. 

We believe that our current way of operating, with our telephone system providing no engaged tone and the ability to receive a "call-back" without having to wait in a queue, is giving patients excellent access to appointments. The enforced changes will not improve matters. 

We ask you, our patients,  to bear with us as we try to adapt and to read the Practice Charter published on the website which explains our position in more detail.

Idle Medical Centre