Request an urgent or routine appointment

To request an appointment:

• use our eConsult appointment request form, Monday to Friday 7am to 6:30pm. We will respond within 1 working day
• phone us on 01204 284822, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm if you cannot complete an eConsult form 
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm if you cannot complete an eConsult form 
• If you require an appointment for a child 6 months and under please call us on 01204 284822, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm
• If you require a nurse appointment phone us on 01204 284822, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm

Access for patients who can’t access the form

For those patients who do not have the facility or ability to access us digitally, our team of experienced receptionists will support them to do so, offering education on how to access the system and assistance. Moving forwards we encourage those who can use eConsult to do so.

eConsult: Contact Your GP Online

How do I use eConsult?

To access our services such as appointment, prescription requests, and administrative queries such as fit note requests or chasing referrals you will need to complete an online form.

To do this…

• go to the NHS APP, click on the ‘service tab’ at the bottom, then online services or you can click on this link.
• Select either admin or medical request
• Confirm this is a non-urgent request
• Write the request to the practice, giving as much information as possible
• Tell the practice how you want to be contacted
• Enter your details
• Press submit!

For each request you make, you can expect a response from the practice either by email or text with advice by 5pm the following day.

Your appointment

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Routine appointments are at 15 minutes intervals, but if you have a problem that you feel is likely to take longer, please ask for a longer appointment when you contact the surgery. If you want a particular time of day or a specific doctor you may have to wait longer.

We may offer you a consultation:

• by phone
• face to face at the surgery
• by text or email

Appointments by phone, by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.

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, please complete an online form or call the practice 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.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

We would ask that you cancel your appointment at least 24 hours in advance so that we can offer the appointment to another patient.

To cancel your appointment:

• use the NHS App or use your NHS Account (through the NHS website)
• use the online form
• phone us on 01204 284822, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm

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

If you need help when we are closed

If you require urgent medical assistance which cannot wait until the surgery re-opens, please call the Out of Hours Service on 0161 763 8940.

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.

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.