Routine Appointments

We offer both face to face and telephone appointments. If you need to see a GP or nurse then you must book an appointment.

This can be done by either:

Online

Telephone on 01204 463444

Visiting reception

Alternatively, you can use eConsult.

If you are more than 10 minutes late for your face to face appoint, there is a possibility you may not be seen and you will be asked to rearrange. If you have a telephone appointment, the GP will make two attempts to call you and if you do not take the call, you will be asked to rearrange.

If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know 24 hours before so we can cancel it and use it for somebody else.

You can do this either:

Online

At reception

Over the telephone 

Via the NHS App

Telephone Appointments

If you have a problem you think could be resolved over the phone, let the receptionist know.

Please give clear details to the receptionist of your problem to ensure the telephone is the most appropriate way to deal with it.

Some problems we cannot deal with by phone and you may be asked to attend the practice.

When requesting a telephone appointment, give up to date contact details, we will need to phone you back.

Urgent / Same Day Appointments

As well as our routine appointments, we have urgent face to face and telephone appointments available each day. If you feel your problem is more urgent and you cannot wait for a routine appointment, you can call reception and ask to be seen or called that day.

The receptionist will also ask you the reason for your appointment. This is so they can get the right information to pass on to the GP who can make a decision.

You can also request an appointment online using our online triage form. This form will be triaged and you may be asked to speak to a doctor/nurse. If, after assessment, your problem is not deemed to be urgent, you will be given an appropriate alternative appointment. You will receive a response within 48 hours of submission.

Our eConsult service is available 08:00 – 12:00, Monday – Friday.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00.

We only accept a home visit request if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details.

Extended Access Appointments

You can also book appointments at our Astley-Dale Branch during our extended access opening hours:

Wednesday: 18:30 - 20:00

Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00

Please ask reception for more information or if you would like to book an appointment.

Our staff are very well qualified and experienced in diagnosing and treating most common conditions. When they need to refer you to another healthcare team for further investigations or treatment, they will discuss the options with you.

Most referrals are handled through a telephone booking system which will be explained to you at the time. If you need to go to hospital you will be given a choice of which hospital you wish to go to.

What is the NHS App

The NHS App is owned and run by the NHS. It can be accessed by anyone aged 13 and over registered with an NHS GP surgery in England or Isle of Man. Once you have verified your identity in the app, you will have easy, 24/7 access to a growing range of health services and information.

Your data and permissions

The NHS App does not store any patient data. It lets you view your health information held by your GP and other healthcare professionals

What does the NHS App do?

• view your GP health record: view your medical history, test results, allergies, and medicines

• order repeat prescriptions: request repeat prescriptions without having to contact your GP surgery

• nominate a pharmacy: choose a pharmacy where your prescriptions will be sent to

• book appointments with your GP Surgery: book, view and cancel appointments

• search symptoms, conditions, and treatments

• get health advice through 111 online

• check your NHS number: check your NHS number and manage your contact details within the NHS App

For more info, please click on the links below:

USING THE NHS APP

NHS APP Leaflet

NHS App Quick Start Guide

It is important that you inform the reception staff if you are unable to attend your appointment, this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters maybe removed from the list.

You can also cancel an appointment using the NHS App.

Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until the next working day-except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and they will arrange this for you.

We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.

To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.

Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.

Improving Access to General Practice - Evening and Weekend Appointments

Evening and weekend appointments are now available. Patients who are registered at this practice can now book an appointment to see a GP or nurse on Wednesday evenings (after 18:30) or at the weekends (on Saturdays).

The extended service is based at Astley-Dale Surgery.

Ask the practice receptionist to find out more or book an appointment.