Appointments

To help with demand the GPs have recruited Advanced Practitioners who work in the same way as a GP (with the exception of sick notes and maternity) and we ask that you support the practice by booking in with these clinicians when you are offered an appointment.

The doctors work alongside many highly trained professionals who are often more appropriate for some problems. Many patients don’t know that they can contact these people directly. The patient safety advisors have been trained to direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional that may not necessarily be the GP, this could include opticians for eye problems.

District Nurse
Similar role to a practice nurse however they see patients who are housebound in their own home. this can also be due to patients just having come out of hospital

Duty Doctor
Each doctor takes a turn at being the Duty Doctor who is available for urgent cases.

Routine appointment slots are 10 minutes so it is important that we make the best use of this time. It is often best to concentrate on one health problem at a time rather than several unless you feel they may be connected. Be prepared to talk about what you feel is really wrong or may be an underlying problem. (An emergency appointment is for one problem only). Be prepared that the doctor may need to examine you to reach a diagnosis.

Please be a patient patient. When the surgery appointments are running late, this is because the doctor has been held up with a more complicated case.

Practice Nurse
For management of long term conditions, cervical smears, dressings, ear wax, blood pressure etc.

Healthcare Assistant
Healthcare Assistant for health checks, smoking cessation, spirometry, bloods, dressings, suture removal etc.

Use the Right Service

Urgent appointments

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):

  • phone us on 01484 715324, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with. The GPs have asked that all patients give the reason for the appointment to the patient services advisor’s so they can sign post you to the most appropriate person.

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:

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with. The GPs have asked that all patients give the reason for the appointment to the patient services advisor’s so they can sign post you to the most appropriate person.

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.

A chaperone is someone who can be present during an examination or procedure to provide support and ensure your comfort and safety.

You are welcome to request a chaperone at any time, and one will be provided where available. Chaperones are usually a trained member of our clinical or admin team.

In some situations, a clinician may also offer a chaperone for certain types of examinations, particularly intimate or sensitive procedures, to ensure both patient and clinician comfort.

If you would like a chaperone, please let us know when booking your appointment or mention it to the clinician at the start of your consultation.

Your privacy, dignity, and safety are our top priority, and requests for a chaperone will always be treated respectfully.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

To cancel your appointment:

  • use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
  • using the GP online system – Patient Access
  • phone us on 01484 715324, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
  • 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.

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.

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

All the doctors do home visits but only to patients who are too ill or infirm to come to the surgery.

Please remember that home visiting is very time consuming – it takes us 4 times as long to see one patient at home for every one we see in the surgery. So please always come to the surgery if at all possible – even if this involves asking a relative or friend to bring you or taking a taxi.

If you feel you need a home visit, you must phone between 8am and 11am so that the visit can be fitted into the day’s round. Please be prepared to let the receptionist have some idea of your problem so that the doctor can judge the priority of your call compared to others on their list.

Any visits requested after 11am can be accepted for urgent cases only. They will be done by the Duty Doctor for that day.

Additional Support and Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to making our services accessible to all patients and are happy to make reasonable adjustments where needed.

If you require any additional support to attend or take part in your appointment, please tell us when you book, or contact the practice in advance. Letting us know what you need helps us put the right support in place for you.

Reasonable adjustments may include, for example:

  • wheelchair access or easier access routes
  • quieter waiting areas or different seating arrangements
  • longer appointment times where clinically appropriate
  • communication support, including speaking clearly, written information, or help using online services
  • allowing a carer, family member, or advocate to attend with you
  • flexibility with how appointments are offered (telephone, face-to-face, where appropriate)

We will always do our best to meet individual needs where possible and appropriate. Please talk to our reception team – they are here to help and will treat your request with respect and confidentiality. Once we are aware of any reasonable adjustments you need, we make a log of this on your medical record for future contact.