Appointments

Appointments

Appointments can be by telephone or face-to-face in the surgery. One of our Medical Administrators will ask you when you phone which you feel is most appropriate for your appointment. They will also ask you for a brief description of the reason for your call. This is to ensure you see the most appropriate clinician. If you have seen one of the team previously for the same problem please let the call handler know and they will endeavour to give you an appointment with the same clinician.

Appointments are available to book up to 6 weeks in advance. For a face-to-face appointment, you will be given a time to come into the practice. Please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible. A telephone appointment will be morning or afternoon so please keep your phone nearby as they will only call twice. For on-the-day appointments for conditions that can not wait, telephone lines open at 8am.

If you require urgent advice, or advice on the day, leave a message with the doctor on call.

House Visits

House visits can be arranged for those unable to attend the practice by one of our clinical team if a doctor deems it appropriate following a telephone consultation. These patients will usually be seen by our Advanced Nurse Practitioner or our Paramedic. Please try to call before 10:30am to arrange a house visit. After this time, they may have to be arranged for another day, or advice given over the telephone.

Appointment reminder text service

If you make sure the practice has your up to date mobile number, we can send you a reminder of your appointment the day before. This also allows you to cancel the appointment via text message by following the instructions and is free of charge. Please cancel if you can’t attend.

Cancellations

We have approximately 50 appointments wasted a month due to patients not attending their booked appointment. IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND PLEASE CANCEL – if given enough notice we can usually use cancelled appointments.

Urgent Appointments

The doctor on call provides an “emergency” surgery each day to accommodate urgent appointments. The doctor will endeavour to see patients who are seriously ill as soon as possible. You must call first and the Doctor will call you back to arrange the appointment.

Interpreter Service

The practice can arrange for an interpreter to be present during a consultation if the patient requests this. The appointment must be booked in advance and a double appointment will be required.

Chaperones

If you would like a chaperone present during a consultation with either the doctor or nurse please let them know and they will arrange this for you.