From 1 October 2025, the Government has changed the contracts for all GP surgeries in England.

What’s Changing?

This means we must now offer routine access to request medical care from 8:00am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday.

You will now be able to make a request for routine medical care: 

• 📞 By phone
• 🏥 Face-to-face at reception
• 💻 Online (e.g., Accurx) during these times

Like many other surgeries, we do not support or agree with these changes, but we do not have any choice.

Unfortunately, GP practices have not received any extra funding or staff to help deliver this extra access. Like many other surgeries across the country, we're concerned about how these changes impact on patient safety and our ability to provide the best care possible.

Because of the new rules, there may be times when:

• You may wait longer to see a GP
• We may suggest self-care for minor problems
• We might direct you to another service (such as a pharmacy, walk-in centre, NHS 111) if it’s not safe for you to wait.

We’ve always tried to avoid waiting lists, but these changes may make that more difficult, and we may be left with no other choice. We understand this may be frustrating if we get to that.

We have no control over these changes. Please do not take frustrations out on our team, and instead please feed this back to the Derby and Derbyshire ICB or your local MP, who are best placed to hear your views and take action.

We will still triage all requests for an urgent or routine appointment. We will continue to do everything we can to care for you safely and efficiently. Submitting a request for an appointment does not automatically mean you may receive a medical appointment as there may be another suitable service funded to deal with your medical problem.

• Consider if you need a GP appointment or if another local service might help
• Use pharmacies, opticians, dentists, or NHS 111 for advice when appropriate

— The Inspire Health Partnership and our teams

You and Your General Practice is a national guide on what you can expect from your GP surgery. It also explains what you can do to get the best from the NHS