Urgent appointments
Our policy is for anyone requesting an urgent appointment to be given the first available appointment on the same day.
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):
- phone us on 01379 642021, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Please note: our telephone lines are closed between 1pm and 2pm
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8.30am 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:
- use our appointment request form
- phone us on 01379 642021, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Please note: our telephone lines are closed between 1pm and 2pm
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination
- use your SystmOnline account
- Please specify if you would like either a face to face appointment or a phone appointment. A brief reason for the appointment would also be helpful but not essential. You can only book GP appointments online, appointments for all our services such as smears, please book in the usual way.
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
- on a video call
- by text or email
Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
Chaperones
We are committed to maintaining professional standards. For certain examinations during consultations an impartial observer, called a chaperone, will be required.
This impartial observer will be a practice Nurse, Health Care Assistant or chaperone trained receptionist who is familiar with the procedure and be available to reassure and raise any concerns on your behalf. If a chaperone is unavailable at the time of your consultation, then your examination may be re-scheduled for another time.
You are free to decline any examination or chose an alternative examiner or chaperone. You may also request a chaperone for any examination or consultation if one is not offered to you. The GP may not undertake an examination if a chaperone is declined.
The role of a chaperone:
– Acknowledges a patient’s vulnerability.
– Provides emotional comfort and reassurance.
– Assists in the examination.
– Assists with undressing patients, if required.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
If you are cancelling an appointment for the same day, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer the appointment to someone else.
If you are cancelling an appointment for another day, please cancel your appointment by:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- using the GP online system – SystmOnline
- phone us on 01379 642021, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Please note: our telephone lines are closed between 1pm and 2pm
- reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message
If you need help when we are closed
If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or call 111.
The NHS 111 is staffed by fully trained advisers supported by experienced nurses, pharmacists, and doctors. The NHS 111 service is available if you require urgent medical help, but it is not a life-threatening situation.
NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Late Night Pharmacies
As qualified healthcare professionals, community pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.
All pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines. They are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
You can find out your nearest open pharmacy on the NHS.uk website. Once you have searched for the location, you can select ‘only show pharmacies open now’ if you are searching outside of usual business hours.
If you need help with your appointment
Please tell us:
- if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to respond
- if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
- if you need an interpreter
- if you have any other access or communication needs
Home visits
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10.30am.
You may only request a home visit if you are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.
You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.