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Thomas Andrew Porteus, MBCS
HealthTech
MBCS
Thomas writes to inform, inspire, and equip practice leaders and health professionals navigating change, drawing on two decades of hands-on work across the UK health system.
With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of healthcare and technology, Thomas is a trusted voice on practice operations, digital transformation, and patient engagement. A seasoned expert in supporting primary care and NHS practices, he brings deep insight into the real-world challenges—and opportunities—of delivering better care through smarter systems. Whether advising on workflow redesign, digital tools, or service innovation, Thomas combines strategic thinking with a practical understanding of what works on the ground.
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The NHS is one of the UK’s proudest achievements. It was founded on the principle that healthcare should be available to everyone, free at the point of use, and based on need rather than ability to pay. To make sure that principle is protected, the NHS Constitution sets out what patients, the public, and staff can expect. Sometimes called the Patient Charter, it pulls together your legal rights (which the NHS must uphold), alongside the pledges the NHS makes to you (commitments that go beyond what the law requires). It also includes your responsibilities as a patient because the NHS can only function if we all use it fairly and respectfully. But what does this mean in practice? And why does it matter in real life, especially at a time when the NHS is under huge strain? Let’s explore.
Booking a GP appointment has changed. Instead of waiting on the phone line at 8am, many people now complete an online consultation form through their practice website. At first glance, it may feel like another bureaucratic hurdle. But in fact, these forms are designed to help you, and your GP team, get to the heart of your problem more quickly. The way you fill them in makes a real difference. When you provide clear, thoughtful information, it not only helps the practice decide whether something is urgent, but also ensures you are directed to the right person in the wider primary care team. That might be your GP - but it could just as easily be a nurse, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist, or another professional who can meet your needs sooner. One of the simplest tools to guide you is known as Ideas, Concerns and Expectations, or ICE.
If you buy the weight-loss medicine Mounjaro privately in the UK you may see a steep price increase from September. The change will not affect you if you get your medicine from the NHS. Here we show what are the alternatives and what you need to think about if you change or stop taking medicines.
From January 2026, babies in England will be offered a free vaccine against chickenpox for the first time. The new programme is part of the NHS routine immunisation schedule and is expected to protect hundreds of thousands of children every year from a condition that is often more serious than people realise.
