APPOINTMENTS ADVICE
Appointments
Appointments may be booked up to a maximum of three weeks in advance to see a doctor or nurse by telephoning 01823 259333 or calling at the Surgery between 8:30am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday.
Although we answer six lines on our main telephone system they are very busy first thing in the morning. Calls are held in a stacking system and are answered in the order they are received. If you can leave non-urgent calls until later in the morning we will be able to deal with them more quickly.
Monday is our busiest day. If your requirement is routine and non-urgent try telephoning on another day. We will be able to respond to your needs more quickly.
Urgent appointments
Urgent appointments can be made for the same day but may not be with the doctor of your choice and may mean you waiting until a doctor is available.
If you feel the matter cannot wait until the next available routine appointment with your own doctor, please give reception a brief idea of the problem and they will tell you when to come to the surgery.
Telephone consultations
The practice encourages patients to phone for advice when a face-to-face appointment is not necessary. If you wish to speak to a doctor please telephone reception before 10:30am and book a telephone consultation. The doctor will return your call after the end of morning surgery.
Home visits
Home visits are for patients who are too ill or infirm to come to the surgery. If you need the doctor to visit you at home please telephone the Surgery on 01823 259333 before 10:30am and give the receptionist as much information as you can to help the doctor assess the urgency of the visit.
Out of hours
After 6:30pm and before 8:00am, Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays:
Urgent out of hours and night cover is provided by NHS 111.
If you need urgent medical assistance please phone: 111.
How to book - General
Every doctor has a certain number of appointments each day that are available for booking in advance, these appointments are usually between 8.30am - 9.20am and can often be booked up to 3 weeks in advance, however we would stress that these appointments do get booked up quite quickly. If you would like to pre-book an early morning appointment we would advise you to allow plenty of time (especially if you want to see a particular doctor).
The remaining doctors appointments (for that day only) are available for booking at 8.30 in the morning. We will always try to book you an appointment with your own doctor, but this may not be possible on that day, in which case we will offer you an appointment with another doctor.
If there are no appointments with any doctor left on the day you will be offered an appointment for the open surgery. We guarantee that you will be seen but will not be able to give you a named doctor at the time of booking. All patients scheduled for the open surgery must arrive by 11.30am.
This service will only be offered when all appointments have been booked for that day.
How to book - Telephone consultations
Telephone consultations are another option open to you, as you may not need to speak to a doctor face to face. If you have a problem that could be dealt with over the phone (rather than through an appointment) please tell the receptionist, who will take your details and ask the doctor to phone you back (usually at the end of the morning surgery).
Telephone consultations can only be booked on the day.
How to book - Practice Nurse appointments
Practice Nurse appointments should always be booked in advance as these clinics get very busy. (You may usually book up to three weeks ahead, however some specialist appointments are available six weeks in advance).
How to book - Medicals & Postnatal examinations
Medicals and Postnatal examinations should be booked in advance. Please tell the receptionist if you need to book either of these, as we follow separate guidelines for these types of appointments.
Unsure?
If you are unsure about any of the above information please ask a receptionist for clarification.
Please note:
If you need medical assistance after 6.30pm, at weekends or bank holidays, you should telephone the NHS 111 service on 111.
