Appointments

Appointments

To request an appointment with a clinician for a health problem, you can;

We do not want to disadvantage you if you cannot use the internet.  If you don’t have online access, please phone the practice on 01493 717796 between 8am -6pm Monday – Friday (closed 1pm – 2pm on Wednesdays).   A member of our reception team will complete the online form on your behalf.

If you attend the surgery in person between 8am – 6pm, (closed 1pm – 2pm Wednesdays) a member of our reception team will ask you to fill out an online form using our device.

Alternatively, you can use the NHS App which will take you to the forms to submit a request.  By using the NHS App this will save you time, as your personal details are already entered.  If you require assistance in downloading/using the NHS App, please ask the reception team at the surgery to help you.

Once your form has been completed it will be passed along to our triage medical team. Once they have reviewed this, we will be back in contact to arrange an appointment in the timescale they have advised. You may also be contacted by a member of this team on the day.

Please note that attending the practice or calling the practice does not change how quickly your request is triaged so we encourage patients to use online services or the NHS App if they can.

All clinical forms will be reviewed and prioritised by our Clinical Triage Team which will include a GP. The team will contact you to advise of the next steps. Next steps may include an appointment the same day, an appointment in the near future, or advice. 

Submitting an online form

Medical request forms will open Monday to Friday. They are closed on weekends and bank holiday’s.

Please do NOT request an appointment outside these hours using the admin query form.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

After submitting an online request;

  • You may be asked for more information for the triage team
  • You may be sent a link to fill in a questionnaire to better help the triage team review your symptoms
  • You may be directed to other services more appropriate for your medical problem such as a Dentist, Pharmacy, A&E, etc
  • Offered an appointment on the same day
  • Or an appointment in the appropriate timescale for your medical problem
There is usually only time to deal with one problem during a routine appointment, so if you feel you need more time please inform the receptionist when you make your appointment. We also stress that one appointment is for one person.

We will always endeavour to book an appointment with the doctor of your choice, at a time that suits you best. This is obviously not always possible, especially at times of high demand, usually around the holiday periods, after weekends or bank holidays. We are constantly reviewing the appointment system to offer a range of availability.

Children under 16 years old should ideally be accompanied by an adult. If more than one member of your family wants to see the doctor, please make a separate appointment for each of them.

Admin requests

If you have an administrative query (such as a request for a sick note, a change of personal details, a request for a letter) submit an “I have an admin query” form. These are open 24/7.

Please do not submit a medical problem on one of these forms. You may be asked to resubmit the correct form in the medical form open hours.

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.

Telephone Advice

Telephone Advice may include queries about a prescription, a test result, a hospital appointment, a referral, a form that needs to be completed or advice about a minor ailment.

Please make sure you give the correct phone number that you can be reached on.

Advice is also available from the NHS by telephoning their medical advice line on 111 or from the NHS website.

Total Triage

From the 8th of May 2025 we will operate a total triage service. Which means all completed online contact forms will be reviewed and prioritised by our Clinical Triage Team. They will get back to you to advise you of the next steps and direct you to the appropriate clinician (which can include a GP, Paramedic, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate, or a nurse) in a timely manner.

It is important to note that general practice is not an emergency service, nor is it a walk-in centre. GP Practices have a limited safe capacity which, due to demand, means that we often reach our maximum safe capacity. When this happens, we will direct patients to other care providers such as A&E, walk in centres, NHS 111 and urgent care centres, or your local pharmacy.

If you need to be called back at a certain time because of work constraints, then we will do our utmost to meet this.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

To cancel your appointment:

Why is it important to tell us you want to cancel your appointment?

Every month valuable consulting time is wasted due to patients failing to cancel their appointment. By telling us in good time that you cannot keep an appointment, we can offer your appointment to someone else. This helps us to reduce waiting times and means everyone can be seen sooner.

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

Transport

Hospital transport may be available for patients under the NHS unable to use public transport or find another means to attend. The number to call is 0845 8500774 (Mon- Fri 08:00 ‑ 18:30, Saturday 08:00 ‑ 12:00).

Home visits

We have limited home visiting services reserved for patients who are house bound, terminally ill and some other exceptional circumstances; a doctor will review your request.

At home the doctor will only have limited equipment and it is often difficult to perform a full assessment of your symptoms. It is therefore essential that if it is at all possible that you attend the Surgery to see the doctor.

If you do need a home visit, please contact the Practice before 10:30.

Please be prepared to give some details about the reason for the home visit so that we can deal with your enquiry more efficiently.

If you are submitting an online request and are unable to attend the surgery please make sure you advised on the form that you are requesting a home visit.

Request Home Visit