The link to the guide below tells you what to expect from your general practice (GP) and how you can help them, so you get the best from the National Health Service (NHS).
NHS England » You and your general practice
At our surgery, we offer face-to-face appointments, telephone consultations & online consultations for any Non-Urgent Medical Requests via our E-consult service.
For face-to-face and telephone consultations, please call Reception to book your appointment.
For Online Consultations, please click the link on the home page which will take you to our online form. If sent between our core working hours of 8:00-18:30, this will then be triaged the same working day.
Urgent/Emergency Appointments
These will be dealt with on the day
Non-emergency Appointments
The receptionist will aim to make an appointment on the day. If this is not possible then you will be offered an alternative solution, which may include :-
- Telephone appointment/consultation
- Contacting your local Pharmacist
Depending on your medical issue the Receptionist may also ask for some photos to be sent over for the clinician to view ahead of your consultation, this can be for rashes, spots, etc as this provides a clear picture and gives the clinician an overview ahead of your consultation.
Appointments face to face with a GP
We book our appointments with the GP on a day-to-day basis, which ensures that appointments are available when you need them. If you require an appointment in the morning, please call the Surgery at 08:00. If you require an appointment in the afternoon, our lines open at 15:00. Please note – the GP can only deal with ONE medical issue per appointment. If you need to discuss more than one issue, please let the receptionist know when you are making your appointment.
Appointments face to face with a Practice Nurse
Appointments with our Nursing team will also need to be booked but these can be booked in advance. These are available in both the morning and afternoon surgeries (excluding Wednesday and Friday afternoon.)
Telephone Consultations with a GP, Nurse Practitioner or Practice Nurse
These consultations are only available on a day-to-day basis and cannot be booked in advance.
For a call back during morning surgery – please call between 08:00 and 11:00
For a call back during evening surgery – please call between 15:00 and 17:30
Non Urgent Requests – using Online Consultation service, eConsult
If you contact us during core hours (08:00–18:30) by submitting an eConsult online form, your request will be reviewed the same day and actioned based on the information you provide. This may include booking an appointment, offering advice, signposting to another service, or requesting further details.
For urgent help, call your GP practice. If closed, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.
In an emergency, call 999.
Phlebotomy Clinics (Blood clinics)
We offer phlebotomy clinics 4 mornings per week – with our Health care assistant Kirsty Stidever these can also be booked in advance.
Please phone reception and book your appointment – please arrive at the surgery 5 minutes ahead of your appointment. If you arrive late then we may have to re-arrange your appointment for another day
Getting the most out of your consultation
- For simple illnesses and requests, it is often more appropriate to see the nurse practitioner rather than the GP – please see ‘nurse practitioner service’.
- Regular treatments or tests – please see the practice nurse.
- During a consultation, the GP or nurse can only discuss one issue so if you have more than one issue or want to talk about another family member, please advise our receptionist who will book a double appointment if available.
- Before you visit the surgery, it may be helpful to write some notes about your symptoms or questions that you would like to ask. This will prevent important from being forgotten.
- It can sometimes help to have a relative or friend with you.
- If you want to make an appointment to discuss results with the GP, then it is important to ensure that any results have arrived before attending the Surgery. To check this, please call the nurse results line on Monday or Thursday between 13:00 and 14:00.
- If you would like a chaperone during your appointment, please speak to the GP or nurse.
Home visits
Should you feel that a home visit is unavoidable for you or somebody else please:
- Call the surgery on 01283 840228 before 11:00.
- Advise the receptionist about the condition so we can prioritise the most urgent cases and arrange the best course of action.
- Ensure that the surgery has your up-to-date details (including phone number) if a home visit is to be made.
- You are a housebound patient and are unable to get to the Surgery.
**Please note that home visits are not provided where there are transport issues (where you do not have transport to the Surgery).
Cancelling Appointments
Please call the Surgery to cancel appointments that you are not able to attend/do not require. This is to avoid wasted appointments that could be used by other patients.