5 Ways to Get More Time Back at Your GP Practice
If you feel like there’s never enough time in the day, you’re not alone.
According to the Royal College of GPs, nearly a third of GPs say they’re unlikely to be working in general practice in five years’ time and 58% said a reduction in administrative workload would make them more likely to stay.
The message is clear. The pressure is unsustainable and much of it comes from tasks that take time away from patient care.
Practice Managers and GP teams across the UK are juggling more patients, more paperwork, and more pressure than ever before. But there are small, practical steps you can take to reduce the load and create breathing space for your team, without needing to overhaul everything.
Here are five realistic ways to get more time back in your practice.
1. Digitise Your Most Repetitive Admin
Take a look at a typical day or week. What tasks are your team doing again and again?
In the practices we’ve supported, things like sick note requests, repeat prescriptions, new patient registrations, and document uploads often top the list of small repetitive admin processes that quickly pile up.
With simple, patient-friendly digital forms, patients can submit requests via your practice website, freeing up staff to focus on what really matters.
Keep it simple: These forms don’t require major integration, they can generate a secure email or data file for easy processing.
Start small: Try one or two high-volume tasks first and build from there.
2. Use Your Website to Guide Patients to the Right Help
Many patients aren’t sure where to turn, so they book a GP appointment by default, even when other services might be more appropriate.
Your website is a powerful tool to change this. By clearly signposting alternative options like self-referrals to physiotherapy, mental health support, or social prescribing, you can help patients feel confident in choosing the right route for their needs.
Simple pages like “Who should I see?” or “Help without a GP appointment” can make a big difference, especially when backed by clear, friendly language and a user-friendly layout.
Not only does this help patients feel more in control, it also reduces pressure on your team and ensures people get the right care, first time.
Tip: Signposting should be simple.
So-called “clever” AI tools that attempt to interpret patient needs can often do the opposite, overcomplicating the journey and leaving patients frustrated. Too often, they lead people around in circles, only to deliver an answer they could have found in seconds with a quick Google search.
In most cases, a well-designed, easy-to-navigate webpage with clear headings, frequently asked questions, and direct links to self-referral routes or forms offers a far better experience for patients.
3. Make Access Easier for Everyone
Not everyone experiences the world, or your website, in the same way. Some patients may struggle with reading, vision, language barriers, or simply feel overwhelmed by complex digital tools. Others may find phone calls difficult or lack confidence in asking for help.
Making your digital services more accessible isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about making sure everyone can get the support they need, without needing to call or visit the practice.
A clear, accessible website means more patients can:
- Find answers quickly
- Use online forms independently
- Access translation tools more easily — unlike paper or PDF forms, digital forms can trigger built-in browser translation features, helping non-English speakers complete them without needing extra support
This reduces avoidable calls, improves patient confidence, and frees up time for your team.
Did you know? If your service isn’t accessible to everyone who needs it, you could be in breach of the Equality Act 2010.
Tip: NHS England provides clear accessibility guidance(WCAG 2.2) that every practice should follow as a minimum. At Practest, we build websites that meet these standards by as standard, so you can be confident your practice is inclusive, compliant, and easier to navigate for all your patients.
4. Use Social Media to Strengthen Patient Relationships
Social media isn’t just for big brands — platforms like Facebook and Instagram are powerful tools for GP practices to connect with patients in a more personal, proactive way.
By sharing helpful updates, answering common questions, and shining a light on the work you do behind the scenes, you can reduce confusion, improve trust, and change how patients perceive your practice.
That said, many practices understandably shy away from social media, worried that opening up another communication channel will just lead to more questions, more complaints, or more demand.
But used well, it can actually do the opposite.
Social media is a direct, low-pressure way to guide patients towards the right services, like self-referral routes or online forms, which can help to reduce unnecessary calls and appointments. It’s also a chance to celebrate the care you’re already providing, from the thousands of appointments delivered each month to the dedicated work of your clinical and admin teams.
Try using your channels to:
- Share how-to posts (e.g. “How to request a sick note” or “Where to go for a flu jab”)
- Celebrate your team and highlight the care you provide
- Direct patients to self-referral routes or online forms
- Remind people about changes to opening hours or seasonal services
- Gently educate and inform patients about how best to access the care they need
A consistent presence helps patients feel more informed and less likely to pick up the phone unnecessarily. It also gives your team a chance to communicate on their terms, not just during the 8am phone rush.
Tip: Prepare a bank of reusable content and branded templates so your team isn’t starting from scratch each time. A little effort upfront can save loads of time later.
Practest provides a ready-to-go bank of post ideas and templates, all easily tailored to reflect your tone, services, and local community.
5. Take an “Evolution, Not Revolution” Approach
You don’t need a full system overhaul to make a difference.
If your practice is stretched thin and wary of “big change,” focus on small, steady wins:
- Introduce a single online form for sick note requests
- Refresh your “Who do I see?” page to help guide patients
- Pilot a simple new way of communicating (like scheduled social media updates)
These bite-sized improvements are easier to roll out, and easier to stick with.
Ready to Reclaim Some Time?
You don’t have to do everything at once.
You don’t have to change your systems.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
Practest helps GP practices save time and reduce admin by introducing simple tools that patients understand and that teams actually want to use.
We believe in realistic improvements that work with the pressures you’re already under. It’s about creating space for care, without creating more work.
Curious where to start? Let’s chat about what’s taking up time in your practice and explore a few easy, no-pressure ways to give some of it back.