We are a traditional style general practice. We have 3 GP partners, 2 Salaries GPs and 5 GP trainees. We operate a personal list system so that all our patients have a named doctor. We try to ensure that people are seen by their own doctor whenever possible.
Urgent appointments – Doctors
If you are acutely unwell and believe that you need help from a clinician today, please contact the practice on 02392 466 216 – Option 2.
Our receptionists are trained to ask you about your symptoms and concerns and this information will then be given to your doctor or the duty doctor. By doing this we are able to ensure you obtain advice from the most appropriate clinician at the most appropriate time. The doctor will propose a plan of action and we will contact you back. This plan might include a phone call or consultation in person with a doctor, advice, a phone call with a physiotherapist, an appointment with a nurse, a home visit or other.
Routine appointments – Doctors
Routine appointments with a doctor can be booked up to four weeks in advance by contacting the practice.
Please note that these appointments are for non-urgent, routine medical problems only. However, we strongly recommend that you make use of our Quick GP Message system. This system is designed to help you obtain advice quickly and efficiently, as well as help us alleviate the immense pressure on our appointment system. (If you unsure what sort of appointment you need, please use this system).
Routine appointments may be booked online via Patient Access or the NHS App. Alternatively, you can phone our reception team on 02392 466 216 – Option 1.
Routine Appointments – Nurses
At The Elms Practice, we have a a team of seven dedicated Practice Nurses and one trainee Nurse Associate. Our specialist nurses are able to manage long-term health conditions such as asthma, COPD and diabetes. We are also able to offer a number of tests and treatments such as blood pressure monitoring, phlebotomy, ECG testing and vaccinations.
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
We will respond to requests within 2 working days.
You can also:
- phone us on 0239 246 6216
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or Patient Access to book an appointment, screening test or vaccination
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use your answers to choose the most suitable nurse or healthcare professional to help you.
SMS text reminders
We use SMS appointment reminders to those of you who have mobile telephones. When booking an appointment you will receive 1 SMS within 30 minutes to say an appointment has been made, then you will receive a reminder SMS 48 hours before your appointment day and time.
It is important that we have your correct mobile phone number, so if you have changed your number recently then please let the practice know by completing our change your personal details form so that your registrations details can be updated.
If you wish not to receive SMS reminders then please come in to the surgery and complete an opt out form.
Your appointment
However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:
- by phone
- face to face at the surgery
- on a video call
- by text or email
Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- use the GP online system: Patient Access
- phone us on 0239 246 6216 during opening times
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
- 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
We are pleased to visit you if you are too ill to leave home. You can ask for a visit by calling the surgery on 0239 246 6216 and select option 2.
It helps us to plan our calls if you phone us between 8am and 10:30am.
The receptionist will ask for details of the problem so that the doctors can plan their calls accordingly.
If the matter is urgent please let our receptionist know. A doctor may phone you before visiting in order to prioritise visits and also because the doctor might be in a better position to access important information from the surgery to assess your situation.
It is not usual for us to visit children as we feel it is generally possible for somebody to bring them down to the surgery to ensure that they are seen promptly.