All the Doctors and Nurses work to appointments and we run 2 sessions each day, a morning session and an afternoon session.

You can currently book appointments in two ways:

OVER THE PHONE
To book an appointment please telephone 01225 865200. The line is open 8.30am to 1pm and then 2pm to 5.30pm.


IN PERSON
Come into the Health Centre and see the receptionist at the appointments desk.


When making an appointment, you may be asked some brief questions about why you need an appointment and, although you are not obliged to tell us, it helps in the decision as to whether you need to see a doctor or nurse.


HOW QUICKLY CAN I GET AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE A DOCTOR?
We run an appointment system called "Advanced Access" which is a Government initiative to enable patients to gain access to a healthcare professional within 24 hours. In addition you shold be able to book a routine appointment with a doctor when you need it, and certainly within 48 hours. If a patient requires an urgent appointment they will bee seen by a healthcare professional on the same day.


HOW DO I KNOW WHICH HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL I NEED TO SEE?
There are a number of options available. These are listed below to help you decide before you ring us. The receptionist can also help you decide which one is the most appropriate for you. It may not always be necessary for you to see a GP and we welcome your co-operation in ensuring that people who, for medical reasons, must be seen by a doctor are able to do so.


YOU CAN ARRANGE A CONSULTATION IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

Emergency Nurse: This service is led by experienced, fully trained nurses who are able to deal with minor illness, injury and certain medical emergencies. You will be offered a same-day appointment where your condition will be assessed and treated by the emergency nurse, who has direct access to the duty doctor if she needs additional advice or support.


Telephone consultation: Patients are able to speak to a GP and/or nurse on the telephone during the working day:

1. If patients specifically ask for a telephone consultation for a problem that needs to be dealt with within 24 hours, a telephone consultation appointment is made for the end of a doctor’s surgery
2. If patients specifically ask for a telephone consultation for a problem that can be dealt with within 48 hours, an appointment is made during a doctor’s surgery for the following day. The patient is given a specific time, e.g. 10.40 a.m
3. If a patient needs/wants to discuss an urgent test result with their doctor, a telephone consultation appointment is made for the end of a doctor’s surgery
4. If a patient needs/wants to discuss a non-urgent result with their doctor, the doctor is emailed with the patient’s contact details and associated information. The doctor will telephone the patient within 48 hours. This system is fully explained to patients by the receptionist
5. If a patient wishes to speak with a nurse, a message is recorded in the nurses’ message book. A nominated nurse checks this book at the end of every clinic and undertakes the task, i.e. arranging a telephone consultation

Practice Nurse/Healthcare Assistant/Phlebotomist: In addition to general duties such as changing dressings our nurse-led clinics include blood-taking, ear syringing, blood pressure checks and cervical smears. In addition they can provide advice on the management of coronary heart disease, stopping smoking, diabetes, asthma, weight control and holiday and travel issues. Telephone consultations are available daily with the practice nurses.


GPs: More of the "routine" duties are now carried out by other members of the primary healthcare team, the doctors are able to concentrate on those patients who really need their expertise.


HOW LONG ARE APPOINTMENT SLOTS?
Our normal appointment slots are 10 minutes long, however some things require longer appointments and you will be advised of this at the time of booking. If you feel you need an appointment that is longer or shorter than the designated 10 minute slots, please would you advise the Receptionist when booking your appointment and your consultation time will be adjusted accordingly.


TEMPORARY RESIDENTS
Anyone staying at an address other than their normal residence for less than three months is entitled to free NHS treatment if they develop a condiion which is classed as an emergency or requires "immediately necessary" attention. However, everyone travelling away from home should ensure thay have sufficient supplies of prescribed medicine to take during their stay. Doctors are entitled to charge a consultation fee and a private prescription charge if they are asked to prescribe routine medication.


ONLINE
We hope to be introducing an online appoitment booking service, for selected apointments, in the future.