Sutton residents are experiencing improved access to routine GP appointments, with 94% now able to secure an appointment within two weeks. This figure, presented at the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Monday 7 September 2026, highlights progress in the Sutton Health and Care Plan.
The plan, developed by the Sutton Alliance, aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of local residents through integrated and preventative care. Key to this is improving access to primary care services. Specific initiatives include the 94% of residents can access a routine GP appointment within two weeks
target, and the aim to achieve 92% of same day access for those with an urgent clinical need.
To create additional capacity, extended access Hubs provide additional appointments in the evenings and on Saturdays.
The plan also mentions clinical triage in most of our practices, which enables individuals' conditions to be screened and appointments placed accordingly.
For those with an urgent clinical need, same-day access means they can see a clinician on the same day. Patients can contact their practice by email, text, telephone or in person, with a rising trend in contact via text or email.
Despite these improvements, challenges remain. These include workforce capacity, the availability of data to constantly track our improvements, but also to reduce the unwarranted variation that we see.
The plan states that efforts are underway to ensure that we eliminate that [variation] and use data to understand where that variation exists
across all neighbourhoods and practices.
Extended access hubs are also providing additional appointments during evenings and weekends to further support patient access. The focus remains on ensuring equitable access across all practices and neighbourhoods.
Read the full Public reports pack for the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 7 September 2026 here.
