An NHS GP, who often appears on TV, including BBC Breakfast and ITV News, has shared ways people can avoid the familiar '8am rush' when trying to get in contact with a GP practice. Dr Ellie Cannon says thanks to NHS digital tools, patients can get more power to manage their health, and skip the early morning scramble - from online forms on GP websites, to the NHS App.

Dr Ellie Cannon is a general practitioner in the NHS and an author, columnist, and broadcaster. The doctor studied medicine at Cambridge University. The health expert has explained that these "easy-to-use" and "convenient" options not only save time but also free up phone lines at GP practices for patients who prefer to call or can only use a phone.

Her advice comes as an NHS survey shows half of the public would prefer to use an online form to request a GP appointment. However, the results also showed a surprising 'lag' in people adopting digital methods to manage their health.

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The data also shows that while the majority have the NHS app on their phone, only around a third (34%) have used it to check health records, and (31%) managed repeat prescriptions in the last six months. Below is a list of Dr Ellie Cannon's "simple NHS shortcuts" she urges everyone to know and use to "make life easier" and "get the right care fast".

Dr Ellie Cannon said: "Mornings are frantic enough, whether you’re getting ready for work or doing the school run, so it’s not always practical to call your GP practice at 8am on the dot. Instead, you can use your GP practice’s website anytime during working hours for any non-urgent requests, and you can explain what you need in your own time, describe your symptoms or follow up about something. The online forms are secure, managed by the same team at your GP practice, and you’ll usually hear back from the team within one working day."

A triage form is a structured questionnaire, usually available online, that healthcare providers such as GPs or urgent care providers use to gather information about patients' symptoms and other details. This helps them figure out how urgent a patient's condition is and next steps to take - including whether an appointment is needed, whether by phone, video, or in person.

"The quicker you tell your GP practice what’s going on, the faster the team can direct you to the right care, whether that’s a GP, nurse, pharmacist, self-care guidance or referral to a specialist service. So, when you send your symptoms or requests through your GP practice’s website, the team will be in touch within one working day with the advice for your specific need", she added.

The TV doctor said: "Most of us have the App on our phones already, but how many are really making the most of it? You can now manage your health wherever you are, whether you’re on your way to work, at the supermarket or while watching TV. Simply tap the App and you can request repeat prescriptions, manage appointments and more.

"When you switch on notifications, you’ll also get reminders about appointments and alerts when test results are ready. It’s ideal for those who already manage their banking and shopping on their phone, so why not their health?"

Dr Ellie Cannon urges people to make sure they check they’re up to date with medication, especially if they’re going away for the weekend or are running low. "You can use the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions within a few taps and track them just like an online shopping order," she said.

Dr Ellie Cannon is supporting the NHS campaign encouraging people to use the full range of NHS services and get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, while keeping more urgent services free for those who need them most. This includes contacting your GP practice via the website to help avoid the '8am rush', using NHS 111 for urgent health needs or community pharmacies for minor illnesses, and using the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions and manage appointments. Visit the NHS website for more information on services available to you.