Appointments

Urgent appointments

Patients seen in urgent appointments by one of our practitioners should be aware that they might not be able to see their own usual practitioner and that the appointment time may be restricted or delayed.

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):

• Calling the surgery on 01603 867481.
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6.00pm

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Routine appointments

To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:

• By using our online services, SystmOnline – if you have been sent an invite.
• Calling the surgery on 01603 867481.
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6.00pm
• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

On the day appointments

We offer a daily triage service between the hours of 08.30am-10.30am where our triage trained patient co-ordinators will take a brief history of your problem.

Our Duty Doctor will then assess and determine the most appropriate course of action for you which may include a face to face or telephone consultation, arranging initial investigations such as blood tests, booking an advanced appointment or signposting you to alternative service.

Please note that a doctor will still be available throughout the working day if you have a medical emergency.

Your appointment

However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:

• by phone
• face to face at the surgery
• on a video call
• by text or email

Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.

Infectious conditions

If you or your children have a rash or spots which could be infectious, please let the us know when you request your appointment. The patient coordinator will then arrange for you to be seated in a location to minimise the risk of cross infection. If you feel faint, nauseous or are in pain in the reception area, please tell the patient coordinator who will arrange more appropriate seating or call a practitioner to attend.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason, please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else. The surgery often has up to 160 patients per month who do not attend their appointments and these could have been given to people who need them.

If you need help with your appointment

Please tell us:

• if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to respond
• if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
• if you need an interpreter
• if you have any other access or communication needs

Home visits

If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. We will phone you first to understand what you need.

To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you phone the practice as soon after 8am as possible.

If you need help when we are closed

If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or call 111.

NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.

Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Improved access to appointments

The Improved Access Service has been replaced as an Enhanced Access Service offering acute GP appointments, medication reviews, phlebotomy clinics, first contact physiotherapy, bp and wound care amongst others.

The sessions include day time and evening / weekend appointments and are pre-bookable via the surgery.