Our Appointments System
- If you have an urgent medical problem please call our Patient Services Team on 01935 474353
- Online services should only be used for non-urgent queries
- Routine appointment requests (appointments that can wait) can be submitted online or by telephone.
- The Patient Services Team will ask you questions to make sure your appointment is booked with the right person, for the correct amount of time.
- We use a combination of appointment types depending on the situation, for example face to face, or telephone.
You should always call 999 in an emergency as we are not an emergency service.
Why are the Patient Services Team asking me more questions?
Our Patient Services team are trained to know who is the best person to help you. This is not always a doctor.
Their role is to find out about your particular problem and book you with the most appropriate person.
They use a tool developed by clinicians to ensure you are asked the right questions.
The more information you can give them, the more likely you will be booked with the best person to help you and for the correct amount of time.
This really helps us to use our resources carefully and maximises the availability of appointments for all patients.
All our staff are trained to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
Types of appointment
Urgent – for same day medical issues. These appointments will be booked with the most appropriate clinician for your medical issue.
Routine– for non urgent medical issues, booked in advance. These appointments are a standard length, so it is important that you tell the Patient Services Team what your problem is so that they can ensure you are booked with the best person to help you within an appropriate time frame. This appointment may be via telephone, or face to face, depending on the circumstances and your choice. The more information you give, the better we can help you.
Self care and other help
The Patient Services Team will be able to help sign post you to other more appropriate services. For example :
Community Pharmacy Consultation Service – the team are able to book an appointment directly for you to see a pharmacy for minor ailments and medication issues.
ACES – Acute Eye Service in some opticians – they can see you with an acute eye problem and have the right equipment to see the eye .
Self-care – via the NHS online website Health A to Z – NHS (www.nhs.uk) . This website has a wealth of safe information on lots of health conditions and what you need to do to help yourself.
Pharmacy – have you taken advice and self-medicated for minor ailments before contacting the surgery. (coughs, colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, thrush etc). A pharmacist is a professional trained to help you with medications and minor illness advice.
Administration information – For Fit/Sick Notes, Nurses Appointments, repeat Prescription Requests, or a simple query or update for the GP, simply submit your query via our website and the Patient Services team will be able to help you with an online response.
