Contact us with SystmConnect
GP appointments
To request a GP appointment please use our online consultation service, providing as much detail as possible. Your request will then be triaged by the duty doctor and you will be assigned the most appropriate appointment based on the information. This may be a same day appointment or an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks etc. You may also be referred to one of our associated team member e.g. physio or health and wellbeing coach.
If you have additional communication needs and are unable to use our online service, please speak to a member of our team and they will complete the request form for you. A carer or family member can also submit a GP appointment request on your behalf.
Once your request has been triaged by the duty doctor, a member of our reception team will contact you to arrange the necessary appointment advised by the doctor. Please ensure your contact details are up to date.
Nurse, HCA and Phlebotomy appointments
Nurse, HCA and Phlebotomy appointments continue to be booked by telephone and can be booked at reception.
Evening and weekend appointments/ Enhanced Access
We recognise that sometimes it is not easy to see us during working hours.
Extended hours appointments are available with a doctor/nurse outside of our core working hours. Mon – Fri 18.30 – 19.30 and Sat 09.00 – 16.30.
These appointments are available to request using our online consultation service. However, these appointments will not necessarily be at your usual GP practice, but the health professionals treating you will be able to see your full medical record, with your consent.
Help with your GP appointment
Here are some tips to make the most of your appointment.
- One problem per appointment – The doctor may not be able to deal with lots of problems in one appointment. Appointments are normally ten minute slots, so if you have a complicated problem, or more than one problem, please ask for a longer appointment
- Please make a separate appointment for each family member – A maximum of three appointments is permitted at any one time, including for yourself. If you require additional appointments for family members these must be arranged at another time
- Talk about the most important thing first – It is best to talk about the most important problem first, even if it is the most embarrassing or worrying. Write everything down beforehand if necessary
- Is this your first visit to the practice? Please bring a list of medication you are currently taking.
- If you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask again – The doctor can explain what has been said or any words you did not understand
- You can ask a friend or family member to come with you – only if you would like
- Make sure you know what happens next – You may be asked to book a follow up appointment, be referred to a consultant or require attending for further tests. Make sure you know if you need to do anything and write it down if necessary
- If you are late – you may not been seen. Please allow plenty of time when travelling to the practice, and if driving for parking your car
- Zero tolerance – Please be respectful to other patients and staff when attending the practice. Disruptive or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated
- it is practice policy to allow patients to request to see their preferred doctor in the practice however, this may mean a longer wait on occasion. In cases of an urgent appointment you may be advised to consult with a alternative doctor.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
If you are not able to attend your appointment, please let us know in time so that the time can be used for someone else. If you are late for an appointment, you may be asked to re-book.
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- use the GP online system: SystmOnline
- phone us on 01582 722143 during opening times
- via SMS – if your reminder came with a cancellation link.
If you need help when we are closed
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.
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. Depending on availability, this may have a longer wait time.
- 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
Home visits
If you think an immediate home visit is required, please tell the receptionist. In cases of major injury or critical condition, it may be more appropriate to go directly to your local hospital accident and emergency department. If an ambulance is required, dial 999.
If you are poorly and think you need an urgent same day visit, please call us before 10:30am on the day, and the doctor will review your request.
If we feel that your visit request was inappropriate, we may inform you so that you may use our services more appropriately in the future. Please do not be offended, as we have a duty to use our resources effectively for the safety and benefit of all patients.
- If you are mobile (can walk, use walking aids, wheelchair or scooter), we kindly ask that you see us in the surgery
- The triage nurse or doctor will always consider your request and ensure you are seen by the most appropriate health care professional in the most appropriate location
- An emergency hospital admission may be organised for the patient via the ambulance service without first seeing the patient, in cases where their medical condition make that course of action appropriate
You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.
| Appropriate | Not appropriate |
| Bedbound | No transport or money |
| Terminally ill | Children, young people and anyone who is mobile |
| Would come to serious harm if moved? | Social reasons or for convenience |
Please see more information about home visits.