Recent changes to our appointment system
In response to patient feedback, as of Thursday 5th February our appointment system will be changing to the below. More details on why these changes have been made can be found here
Before you request an appointment…
If you are unsure if your concern requires same day care, you have a minor illness, or whether your pharmacy could help you, you can visit NHS self help and 111 online or call 111 for advice. Pharmacists can offer advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses.
Examples of minor illnesses:
As a patient, you can also refer yourself directly to many NHS services, without even needing to make an appointment with your GP. This is called ‘Self-referral‘ and aims to help improve patient access to numerous NHS services
Local health services you can self-refer to:
Request an appointment
You can contact us about a new health problem/worsening ongoing concern or request a follow-up of ongoing care with your preferred/usual GP.
All new problem requests are clinically reviewed on the same day to decide the most appropriate next step for your care.
Where the GP feels same-day assessment is clinically necessary, you will be contacted and asked to attend the practice that day.
Out of Hours
After 6:00pm, if you need urgent same day care, please contact NHS 111 (online or by phone) for out-of-hours services.
If you are unsure whether you need same-day care, you can visit NHS self-help information
NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now, offering medical advice and can direct you to the most appropriate service helping you find the right care 24/7
Depending on what you need, NHS 111 may advise you to:
- call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency
- go to an urgent treatment centre
- see an evening and weekend GP (out-of-hours GP)
- book a callback from a nurse
- get urgent specialist support, for dental or mental health problems
- contact your own GP surgery
- see a pharmacist for help with a minor illness
- look after yourself safely at home
Emergency prescriptions
You can get an emergency supply of regularly prescribed medicine from 111 online for someone of any age.
111 online does not issue a prescription, but sends a request to a local pharmacy for a limited supply of medicine, until you can organise your regular repeat prescription when your surgery re-opens.
Dental problems
111 online can help with dental problems. This may mean finding a dentist, or an emergency dentist if there is availability in your area.
When not to use 111:
- For life-threatening emergencies like severe bleeding, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, call 999 immediately.
How to access 111 Online
- Call 111 (free from landlines and mobiles).
- Go online to 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5+) or use the NHS App.
- Text relay– Call 18001 111 using text relay, 24 hours a day.
- British sign language (BSL) – Use signvideo.co.uk/nhs111
- Help in other languages – Call 111 and ask for an interpreter
Other local services may also be able to help or support you.
How to request an appointment
- Online:
- Requests can be submitted online between 7:00am and 6:30pm.
- Requests submitted online are reviewed according to clinical need
- By phone:
- Call us between 8am and 6:30pm
- In person: Visit the surgery and speak with one of our patient service advisers within surgery opening hours
What to expect when you contact us
When you get in touch, we’ll ask for brief details about your concern. This information helps the doctor reviewing your request to make sure you are seen by the right healthcare professional at the most appropriate time.
All new problem or worsening condition requests are clinically triaged on the same day.
Depending on your symptoms and current demand, we may:
– contact you to book an appointment
– provide advice
– pass a message to your usual clinician
– arrange a planned appointment
– if we are unable to meet your same-day care needs you may be directed to an alternative urgent care provider to ensure you receive timely support, such as NHS 111.
Important safety information
If your symptoms worsen or change while you are waiting to hear from us, please contact the practice again.
If you need urgent medical advice outside of practice services, contact NHS 111.
In a medical emergency, call 999.
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
All of our appointment types typically last 10 to 15 minutes, regardless of the consultation method. However, there may be occasions when the doctor reviewing your request believes that a different consultation type is more appropriate. For example, if you’ve requested a telephone call but the doctor feels a physical examination is necessary.
Please click the links for more information on our triage model and our various clinical roles.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use our online tool during our opening hours
- use the NHS website or the NHS App at any time
- phone us during our opening hours
- reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message
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
If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. We will phone you first to understand what you need.
To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you contact us as soon after we open as possible.