Appointments

Navigator

Research shows that 27% of patients seeing a GP are not seeing the health care worker with the best expertise for their problem!

Our surgery have developed a special computer programme called NAVIGATOR to help you get to the right appointment with the right person at the right time. It is a tool that has been written by the doctors for the Medical Receptionists to use, so they can guide you to the best clinical care for you.

The Medical Receptionists have specialist training in using NAVIGATOR. To be able to do this they will need to ask you information about what the problem is, how long you have had it and if you have seen anyone about it before.

Please help us to help you.

By using NAVIGATOR we will have more GP appointments to offer patients who DO need to see the doctor, if the patients that don’t need a GP are guided to the right appointment for them!

Urgent appointments

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

• phone us on 0191 252 1616 or 0191 253 2578, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm

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:

• phone us on 0191 252 1616 or 0191 253 2578, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm

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.

Your appointment

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

• by phone
• face to face at the surgery

Cancelling or changing an appointment

To cancel or change your appointment:

• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• using the GP online system – SystmOnline
• phone us on 0191 252 1616 or 0191 253 2578, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm

If you need help with your appointment

Please tell us:

• if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone or face-to-face
• if you need an interpreter
• if you have any other access or communication needs

Group consultations

You may be invited to attend a group consultation if you have certain conditions such as Cardiovascular disease or you have raised Cardiovascular risk.

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 before 10:30am. The doctors may go out on their home visits anytime between finishing morning surgery and starting afternoon surgery. If you phone after the doctors have already left the building we may not be able to visit until the following day, unless it is an emergency.