Urgent appointments
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):
- phone us on 01328 851321, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
- visit the surgery and speak with a Patient Coordinator during opening hours
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, Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm. We will respond within 4 hours during opening times
- phone us on 01328 851321, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
- visit the surgery and complete a triage form during opening hours
- 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.
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.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
If you are cancelling an appointment for the same day, please let us know as soon as possible.
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- using the GP online system – SystmOnline
- complete an online form
- use our automated cancellation service – contact reception for further information on this service
- phone us on 01328 851321, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
- reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message
- Visit the surgery and speak with a patient coordinator during opening hours
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
Patients are requested, where possible, to telephone before 11am if a home visit is required that day.
We would request that, apart from the genuinely housebound, all other patients attend the surgery rather than request a home visit because of the extra time home visiting takes.
On average four to five patients can be seen in surgery in the time it takes to do a single house call. In addition, the care that can be offered due to the lack of adequate lighting, examination facilities and equipment means that you may not receive as good a service as the doctor may be able to offer if you came to the surgery.
Please note that the doctor may telephone you rather than visit you if this is medically appropriate. Ultimately it is the doctor’s right to decide whether or not a visit is appropriate for a particular set of circumstances.
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 Patient coordinator 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 rescheduled 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.
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 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.
Enhanced Access Service
The practice offers extended opening hours for pre-booked appointments only as follows:
- Monday: 7.30am to 8am and 6.30pm to 7pm
- Tuesday: 7am to 8am
- Wednesday: 6.30pm to 8pm
- Friday: 7am to 8am and 6.30pm to 8pm
- Saturdays: Some Saturdays will be available for this service. These will be published several days in advance.