APPOINTMENTS
Appointment System
Over recent years, all GP practices have seen a a year on year increase in demand for appointments due to care moving out of hospitals, people living longer and more complex care for chronic conditions. It is therefore important not to waste appointments but frustratingly, we have seen an increase in patients not attending appointments they have booked.
Please help us help you by reading about our appointment system below:
Booking appointments
The quickest way of booking an appointment is by using the online appointment request form. A relative, friend or carer can submit one on your behalf if needed.
Every patient request is reviewed by a Doctor before an appointment is booked and will be responded within 24 hours/within one working day. An appointment may not be offered as more suitable methods to get help may be available or the request would be be dealt better elsewhere.
Our Reception Staff are also available Monday to Friday between 8.00am and 6.30pm to make your appointments.
Appointments with our GPs and Nurses are now bookable up to 3 weeks in advance and can be booked through Reception or via our new triaging service. Learn more about AccuRx online triage: How to book an appointment online using AccuRx.
You can also make an appointment using the NHS Online App.
ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS
The fastest way to book an appointment is via an appointment request form or the NHS app or on line https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/login, please see the tab above entitled ' Online services'.
If you do not have an NHS account you can register on line and do not need to involve the GP.
You can pre-book a telephone call consultation. This is to save you having to come into the surgery when a telephone call is appropriate. This can help to improve access to a doctor of your choice for continuity.
Please note that all appointments are for 10 minutes duration. If you want your concerns to be dealt with thoroughly, try to limit each consultation to one problem. If you feel that your problem may take longer please alert the practice so that a longer slot can be booked, if available.
When making a request to make an appointment you will be offered the choice of an appointment at the surgery or a telephone consultation.
URGENT APPOINTMENTS
If you are unwell or have an urgent medical problem which needs to be dealt with on the same day, there are emergency appointments available on the day.
Use the online appointment request form as all request are reviewed by a doctor.
The practice will respond which can include advice [including self management, a prescription, to attend hospital or signposting to a more appropriate service] or offering an appointment . If the doctor feels that you do need to be seen, this will arranged for you. You may be invited to book a routine review if the problem is deemed non urgent.
EXTENDED OPENING
LATE APPOINTMENTS ON THURSDAY EVENING AND SATURDAY MORNING WILL REMAIN AS THEY ARE NOW PRE-BOOKABLE ONLY.
They are primarily aimed at those patients who have difficulty attending appointments during our normal opening hours.
HOW TO SEE A NURSE
Telephone or come to reception to make an appointment with one of our Practice Nurses.
Practice Nurses
For some conditions, it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many conditions and are an integral part of the chronic disease management team. Speak to reception if you are unsure if your problem is suitable.
If you require a District Nurse to attend, the initial referral will be by a Doctor/ or Practice Nurse
HELPING US TO HELP YOU
If you arrive more than TEN minutes late for an appointment, you may be asked to make another appointment - unless it is an emergency.
Please cancel any appointments you are unable to attend, whether at the Surgery or a Hospital.
DID NOT ATTENDS (DNA's)
Many patients do not keep their booked appointments. See Latest News page for recent months' number of DNA's
Please be considerate, if you are unable to keep an appointment then please inform us so that we can use that appointment for someone else.