Appointments

Urgent appointments

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

The receptionist will need to take some details about the problem and arrangements will be made for you to be seen by the doctor as soon as possible.

Routine appointments

To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:

  • submit an appointment request Online
    • Medical request forms will open from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM 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
  • contact us during reception open hours by calling us on 01493 717796
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
  • use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination

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.

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.

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.

If you only need advice from the doctor or nurse, you can book a telephone consultation. You will be called back to discuss your problem. 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.

Triage Doctor

We operate a triage system for patients who need treating on the same day. Patients who request a same day appointment will be asked by the receptionist to give a brief summary of their symptoms and up to date contact details.

This allows the triage doctor to prioritise calls so that, for example, someone reporting severe pain or a sick child will be called first, before someone querying medication.

All our receptionists have signed confidentiality agreements and they are fully aware the information you tell them is personal, you do not have to tell them your symptoms, but you should be aware this will make it more difficult for the doctor to prioritise your call.

If a face to face consultation is necessary the doctor will make an appointment for you later in the day or week. If you need to be called back at a certain time because of work constraints then we will do our utmost to meet this.

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).

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

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.

Request Home Visit