Appointments
I need an appointment - what do I do?
Online Triage
Appointments can be requested via our online triage form (Click here to access) or by telephoning 01772 503180 if you do not have access to the internet where a member of our patient services team will complete the form on your behalf. You may be contacted then within up to 72 working hours.
On contacting the practice our patient services team have been trained to care navigate your call to the most appropriate service and healthcare professional for your care, and therefore will ask you the nature of your problem.
- Patients who do not wish to inform the patient services team of their problem may simply say it is personal and a note will be added
- Patients who may have an accessible need or specific information needs are asked to please inform the team in order that an alert can be placed on your record
Urgent Appointments
If your problem is of an urgent nature, please note that you may be signposted to a walk in centre or urgent care
Where our clinical capacity for the day has reached it's safety limit then you will be advised to contact NHS111 for medical advice
Emergency – Dial 999
In the event of an emergency such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, symptoms of stroke, severe allergic reaction or severe bleeding please dial 999.
On-line Services
Nurse and pharmacist clinics can be booked ONLINE through patient online services. Patients will need to REGISTER for this service and may be asked for photo ID and proof of address and giving their explicit consent at reception prior to using this service (Certain considerations can be given if this is not available). Please remember to indicate the nature of your problem when booking an appointment online so that the correct amount of time can be given for your appointment
ECG screening appointment
If you are asked to attend an ECG (Electrocardiogram screening) appointment please follow instructions prior to your appointment to prepare for the screening - click here for information
Why Do Non-Clinical Teams Ask You Details Of Your Call?
The clinicians at the practice would like to know a little about why you are calling before they return your call or see you face to face. This is in order that they can look at appropriate information from your health record OR it maybe that a face to face or telephone assessment is not required on that occasion for example, if you need an ongoing sick note – the Patient Services team may be able to arrange this without the need for a GP contact.
Whilst the majority of the time we are able to accommodate your request for a face to face or telephone assessment sometimes this may not be offered at a time of day convenient to you or your GP of choice may not be available and an alternative will be offered.
The Practice offers a number of services run by other clinicians and also has an administration team trained in dealing with day to day enquiries.
We have found that patients are often not aware of other services which may be better suited to their needs which are available to them locally or held within our practice and that a face to face or telephone clinical assessment with a GP may not always be necessary.
Do I always have to come down to the surgery?
There may be times when a face to face contact is not always necessary
Examples:
- To Discuss Hospital letters
- For certain Prescription requests
- To discuss Test Results
- To discuss symptoms that require general advice
- For certain fit note requests
- For certain referral requests if you have seen a clinician
- If a physical examination is not clinically required
- A video consultation may be able to be arranged
- A telephone consultation can take place at a time convenient to you
Where nationwide screening guidelines are advised by Public Health England or following Government guidelines
Extended Access
The surgery works with a number of local practices to provide greater access to appointments and can offer appointments up to 20:00 Monday to Friday and on Saturday and Sundays.
Please be advised that availability is limited and will be by pre-booked appointment and urgent on the day only.
Access may not always be provided at this surgery and you may need to travel to an alternative practice.
If no appointment is available you may be directed to alternative services such as NHS111 online or via telephone
These appointments will not be available to book online - therefore please speak to a member of our reception staff for further advice.
Home Visits
If you or a family member are unable to attend the surgery, please telephone 01772 503180 before 10am. A telephone clinical assessment will take place in the first instance as it may be necessary to contact another local service directly, contact another healthcare professional or indeed arrange a direct hospital attendance.
Our Advanced Nurse Practitioners work closely with our GPs and carry out community house calls
House visits are carried out for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability and for patients who are not able to be brought to the surgery.
Please consider transport arrangements where appropriate for yourself or a family member prior to requesting a house call from the surgery.
Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one house call. There are improved facilities for examining and treating patients at the Health Centre than in a patient's home
Not Registered for Online Services?
Text Reminder Service
We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.
To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form and verifying your contact information.
Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.