Appointments System

You can make an appointment to see a clinician by ringing the surgery on 01302 874416 or 01302 330212 during opening hours. Appointments can be booked in advance with no time-limit.

We aim to offer an appointment within 48 hours, but if you request an appointment with a particular member of the team please be aware that this could delay your waiting time.

All appointments with the doctor are allocated 10 minutes, if you require a longer consultation please tell the receptionist and she will allocate a longer slot time.

If you feel your appointment is more urgent than the one you have been offered, please tell the receptionist and she will take brief details of your problem and pass it to the doctor or nurse. The receptionist will agree a time for you to ring the surgery back for the outcome.

Please ensure you give a contact telephone number in case the doctor wishes to speak to you.

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Routine Appointments

If you need to book a routine follow-up appointment with a particular GP the receptionist will book this for you. Many routine appointments are for patients who have a long-term or chronic condition that needs monitoring on a regular basis.

We will let you know when your next appointment is due with the practice nurse or doctor either by post. If this time is not convenient, please telephone reception to re-arrange it.

It is important to continue your regular check-ups, even if you are feeling well.

Routine appointments are available during normal surgery hours with the practice nurse and/or doctor.

Nurse Appointments

Our nurses have been specially trained to undertake healthcare monitoring for patients with long-term conditions. If patients see our nurses for routine healthcare needs or for straightforward medical help it means that our doctors have more time to see patients with more complex healthcare needs. It also means that our GPs have more time to undertake procedures, such as minor surgery, that used to be done only in hospital.

Each of our nurses specialises in a different area, so you need to book ahead with the most appropriate person.

The reception staff can generally advise whether an early appointment with the nurse will be satisfactory for your particular health problem. However, you do not have to inform the reception staff if you prefer to wait for an appointment with a GP.

Extended Practice Opening Hours

This practice offers extended surgeries Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evening until 19:30. All branches attached to the practice can be used, Please contact surgery to book an appointment.

 

Why It Might Be Difficult To Get an Appointment

The surgery is particularly busy on a Monday please do not book medication reviews on this day. If your appointment is not urgent try and book it on a less busy day.

We have a high rate of patients who fail to attend their appointments please ring the surgery and cancel as this can be offered to someone else.

Chaperones

All patients have the right to a chaperone, this may be a family member or friend but at times the doctor may request a member of staff to chaperone. If you have a problem with this please tell the doctor.

Interpreter

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

Home Visits

The doctors will do home visits for patients who are housebound and who the doctor feels are too ill to come to the surgery. Visits should be requested before 11am if possible.

The receptionist will ask you to confirm your name, address, telephone number and a brief outline of your problem. The doctor may ring you at the end of morning surgery prior to a visit.

If you require an immediate visit the receptionist will pass your request to the doctor who may wish to speak to you. Please remember a doctor can see 5 patients in the surgery the time it takes for a visit.

Cancellations & Reminders

Cancel an Appointment

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 complete our appointment cancellation notification request form. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance. (excluding weekends and public holidays). You can also text to cancel your appointment.

Late For Your Appointment

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.

Text Reminder Service

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.