TOTAL TRIAGE USING ANIMA
We are pleased to announce a new, and easier way to access GP services at both
Ireland Wood Surgery and New Croft Surgery which goes live on 30th September 2025.
This means that currently you will not be able to book ahead for routine appointments past this date, but please do not worry, we will still manage all urgent issues as normal.
The Practice have teamed up with Anima, who have developed an online form for registered patients to use, allowing you to submit online requests for any medical issue. These requests are then given to a doctor who will deal with each one appropriately.
This means that a simple online form will need to be completed for any request you would normally contact reception for, be that on the telephone, or at the reception desk.
Anima allows our team to continue to improve access times by helping us to direct you to the most appropriate care for your medical needs. This ensures we make the use of our limited resources in the most safe and efficient way.
All appointments will continue to be offered according to clinical urgency and need. By using this triage system, it means that all requests will be managed more equitably and effectively, ensuring each patient sees the right person or the right service.
If you struggle with online forms
For patients who meet any of the criteria below, please be reassured you can still call the surgery on either 0113 2303470 for Ireland Wood Surgery and 0113 2395550 for New Croft Surgery, where one of our reception team will be able to assist you in completing the online request.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or struggle to use it
If you have a language barrier
If you have a disability
If you are in mental health crisis
If you are neurodivergent
When to use Anima Online Triage
- General Medical advice for new or ongoing concerns
- Administrative queries
- Prescription ordering and queries
- Request for sick/ sick note
- Blood test requests and sending in blood pressure readings
- Any vaccination bookings and enquiries
- Your long-term health reviews including asthma, diabetes, COPD, hypertension and chronic heart disease
- Contraceptive and HRT queries
- Cervical smears
- Wound care and dressings
- Home visit requests
- Chasing test results
- Chasing referrals
- Chasing medical reports and other non NHS work
FAQs
Capacity
Whilst Anima will be available for submitting health concerns from Monday to Friday from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM, demand for a GP appointment may outweigh the safe capacity we can provide. On these days you may see an alert on Anima to state that ‘we have no further on the day capacity’.
In these situations, you will still be able to submit a request for routine appointments.
For any urgent or emergency problems in these situations, please call the reception team who will be happy to help.
Remember there are also the Out of Hour services when we are closed, including the extended hours hub, 111 and 999.
How soon will I hear back?
We aim to respond to all queries the same day.
Some more routine queries may take us a few days to get back to you.
What happens if I can’t access the Internet or don’t feel confident using it?
Our reception team are always happy to help.
They can submit requests for you and call you back to inform you of the outcome of your request. The team can also book you in for the necessary appointment.
Can I use Anima to request a repeat prescription?
You can request medications through Anima. We recommend you use the NHS app to request your repeat prescriptions where possible.
Can I book a nurse appointment through Anima?
You can certainly use Anima to request these appointments.
Why have we changed to Anima?
GP practices are experiencing significant strain with declining GP numbers and increasing demand. Ensuring that patients are seen by the appropriate clinician in the right place and at the right time means that patient care and experience is improved. This reduces pressure on GP practices, allowing GPs to spend their time where it is needed the most. The idea behind a total digital triage is also to avoid the ‘8:00 AM rush’ that becomes a problem for many. This approach is supported by NHS England.
Anima for Patients: how to access Anima