Appointments

How to Make an Appointment

As the media has long been reporting, NHS services (this applies equally to general practices and hospitals) are experiencing unprecedented levels of demand at the moment.  Unfortunately, we are no exception to this.  As a result we are having to make increased use of the additional / alternative services that are available to us. In order to provide patients with flexibility and ease of access to a GP we offer a range of appointments which include both pre-bookable (up to four weeks in advance) and on the day appointments.

Please visit our Who Do I See? section which has advice on the best Healthcare Professional for you to see. This might be an appointment with any one of the following:

• Nursing Team or Healthcare Assistant

• Clinical Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician (medication reviews/queries)

• GP or Nurse based in one of our local extended access hubs – this could be a face to face or telephone consultation depending upon the nature of your problem

• Practice GP – if your problem is urgent you will be given an on the day appointment, for routine matters you may be offered a pre-booked appointment within the next 4 weeks.

We always try our to provide you an appointment with the GP of your choice, but if this is not possible we will offer you an appointment with another member of the GP team. Our GPs offer face to face and telephone consultations.

Any patient calling with a medical condition requiring urgent attention will always be offered an appointment for that day.

Access to Appointments

GP and Practice Nurse consultations are normally by appointment only, which can be made in the following ways:

• Telephone – 01487 830340 during surgery opening hours. When you call our appointments line our reception team will ask you for a brief outline of your problem.  This will help them to establish the clinician/service that is best placed to help you. 
• Online – GP appointments and blood tests can be booked via using the Patient access or NHS App’s. We no longer use the ‘Front Desk’ system. You will need to specifically register for these services.
• In person – During surgery opening hours, by coming into the Surgery and booking with one of our reception team.

Access the Online Appointment System

Cancelling an Appointment

If you should find that you are no longer able to attend an appointment, it is important that you inform the reception staff to cancel it, this will allow us to offer the appointment to another patient and not waste valuable resources. If you are late for your appointment it may not be possible for the clinician to see you

If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters may be removed from our patient list.

Interpreter

If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and we will arrange this for you.