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.
Appointment length
Nurses – the duration of these appointments varies depending on patient needs. For example, a standard appointment for a cervical smear is 15 minutes, for an asthma review 20 minutes and a standard appointment for a travel consultation 30 minutes.
If you require a longer appointment, please let us know!
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.
Contact us online
SystmOnline
