Contact us with Patchs
You can contact a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional online using a website called Patchs.
Emergency (same-day) appointments
We will see the following patients on the same day if asked to do so:
- Children under age 5
- Women with problems in pregnancy
- Terminally ill patients
If you believe you need to be assessed on the same day the staff will take your details, speak to a doctor, and phone you back.
What is the duty doctor list and how does it work? (PDF)
Urgent appointments
If you feel you cannot wait and want to be assessed urgently (i.e. the same day), you may be advised that the doctor may call you back to discuss your problem and decide the best course of action.
If your need is urgent we will offer you an appointment on our next working day. This will often be for conditions that:
- are severe
- are persisting or getting worse despite (several days) medication from the pharmacist
- have not previously cleared up within a few days
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- phone us on 01744 621670
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.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointments up to 4 weeks in advance during opening times:
- phone us on 01744 621670
- 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.
Appointments are normally available up to a month in advance. Appointment slots are for 15 minutes to discuss a single medical problem. If you intend to discuss several issues you should advise the receptionist who may check with the doctor to see if you need to be allocated a longer appointment slot.
When you telephone the practice to ask for an appointment with a doctor the receptionist will ask you for a brief indication of your problem so that she can, where applicable, direct you to the to most appropriate service to meet your need. If you prefer not to disclose your medical problem with the receptionist, your privacy will be respected. You will then be offered a routine appointment with the GP of your choice. If you need to be seen more quickly, you will be offered an appointment with a doctor within 48 hours. However although every effort will be made to fit you in with your chosen GP they may not be available and you may be offered an appointment with another GP instead.
Get medical advice from a nurse
Where you would like an appointment with the practice nurse you should advise the receptionist of the reason (e.g., blood pressure check, diabetic review, etc) so that she can allocate the appropriate time for your appointment. For example, a blood pressure check usually takes 5 minutes, however, an interim diabetic review normally takes 20 minutes whilst a full review can take up to 30 minutes.
To ask a non-urgent medical question:
- fill out an ask a nurse a question form
We will respond within 2 working days during opening times.
Extended access
We open later on Monday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
These appointments are for routine problems only and are provided for patients who are unable to get to the practice during the day because of their work or caring commitments. If you need to see a GP urgently after 6:30pm please call our out of hours number, 01744 737225.
Continuity of care
We want to offer continued care by the same doctor whenever possible. This should allow you normally to see the doctor who knows you best.
Please mention this to the receptionist whenever you make an appointment.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
If for any reason you are unable to keep your appointment or no longer need it, please let us know as soon as possible so that it can be reallocated. Please remember that there is always a shortage of appointments and when you fail to attend (DNA) you have prevented someone else from being seen in your place. Patients who repeatedly fail to attend appointments may be asked to find an alternative GP.
Whilst we make every effort to keep to appointment times, this is not always possible. If we keep you waiting we apologise in advance. If you keep us waiting we cannot guarantee that you will be seen.
Unfortunately, a number of patients persistently book appointments and then fail to attend without cancelling. This behaviour denies other patients access to the doctors. Persistent abusers may be asked to find an alternative GP.
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 01744 621670 during opening times
- respond “CANCEL” to your appointment reminder text
FAQ’s
If you need help when we are closed
If you need urgent medical attention when we are closed, the number to ring is 01744 737225.
If you need medical advice, 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
Patients are requested to telephone before 10:30am if a home visit is required that day.
We would request that, apart from the genuinely housebound, all other patients attend the surgery rather than request a home visit because of the extra time home visiting takes. On average six patients can be seen in surgery in the time it takes to do a single house call.
Please note that the doctor may telephone you rather than visit you if this is medically appropriate.