Changes to how you book appointments
From the 1st July 2024 we have made changes to our appointment booking process. The current process now requires patients to provide information so that a doctor can triage and recommend an appointment type and appointment time.
Why are we making these changes?
We know getting an appointment can feel difficult to some of our patients. These changes are to improve accessibility and fairness for all our patients.
How to request an appointment?
We would like patients to use our Online Message System to submit appointment requests. In one of the following ways:
- From the “Contact Us Online” section on our website.
- By logging into your NHS App or NHS online account, going to ‘Services’, and selecting “Contact your GP about a health problem”.
- When calling the surgery from a mobile phone, by pressing 1 to receive a link to the online form.
Click here for a video walkthrough of the NHS App option
The online form:
- Will ask you to describe your symptoms, how long you have had them and anything you have already tried (e.g. taken painkillers).
- Please provide enough information to allow the doctor to decide how to help you.
- We will ask you the best time to contact you.
How can patients request an appointment if they cannot complete our online form?
- Call the practice.
- Visit the practice.
Our staff will assist by completing the online form for you and entering it into the virtual queue.
How will we ensure fairness for all?
- All ways of requesting an appointment (website, NHS app, in-person, or phone), will receive equal attention.
- None of these ways will be prioritised over another.
- If you call or visit the practice, you will not get an appointment there and then.
How the appointment system works?
- Submit a request any weekday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. (excluding bank holidays).
- Your message will enter a virtual queue.
- You’ll receive a message from us with an estimation of when we’ll get back to you.
- A doctor will review your request and tell you how best we can help.
- The outcome will be provided to you promptly with details of the most appropriate health professional and the timeframe recommended by the doctor.
What types of appointment could the doctor recommend?
- A same-day appointment, face to face or by telephone.
- A pre-booked appointment up to 10 days ahead.
- A home visit if you are housebound
- A text or email message
- A referral to other services
Ways that you can help:
- Use the online form for appointment requests.
- Inform family and friends about the changes.
- Provide enough information on the form for the doctor to triage.
- If you have a booked appointment but can’t make it, please cancel it promptly.
- Submit only one triage form per problem.
- Wait for our contact rather than ringing to check if the form has been received.
We appreciate your patience whilst we change to the new system. Phone queues may be longer at the start as everyone gets used to the changes.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Appointments with a nurse or healthcare assistant
Routine appointments with the nurse or healthcare assistant can be booked several weeks in advance.
Our practice nurses offer routine appointments for annual reviews of conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes and hypertension. They also offer smear clinics, injections, travel advice and dressings.
Healthcare assistants provide a number of services such as blood tests, ECGs, BP checks, general health checks, suture removals and dressings.
To book an appointment with a nurse or healthcare assistant, either:
- Ring the surgery after 10 am or
- Use the online messaging system, select Admin query and when it asks you to select an option, click Something else. You will either receive a call or you will be sent a link to book an appointment that is suitable for you.
