We are a traditional style general practice. We have 3 GP partners 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
If you are acutely unwell and believe that you need to see a doctor within the next 2 working days (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- phone us on 0239 246 6216, option 2
Our receptionists will either offer you an urgent appointment on the same day of if not available, a phone consultation with your own doctor or the duty doctor that day.
We always try and call people back as soon as possible and make a suitable management plan.
If you require advice, a sick note or have a query about your condition, medication, a hospital appointment or something else, please use the relevant online form. We will contact you with an answer within 2 working days. If you have not heard from us by this time please call our reception team.
Routine appointments
On average there is a 6 to 10 day wait to see your doctor for a routine appointment. We would request that you book these appointments as far in advance as is possible. Appointments are available for booking 6 weeks in advance. For example if your doctor requests that they see you again in 1 months’ time please book this as soon as possible. Routine appointments may be booked online here or by phoning our reception team.
If you cannot wait until the next available appointment with your own doctor, you will be offered an appointment with another doctor. If you feel that you need to be seen sooner than that available appointment, please let the receptionist know. They will then ask you for some basic details about your problem and what you believe is needed to resolve your problem. This information will then be forwarded to your doctor who will contact you with a plan within 2 working days.
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 doctor, 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.