Appointments
We are now using an online consultation tool in collaboration with AccuRx - Patient triage.
This service will help patients that struggle to contact the surgery via telephone during working hours, giving patients the freedom to contact us at their own convenience for NON URGENT, ROUTINE enquiries and appointment requests. There may be a delay in the doctors seeing your request for an urgent issue if put through via these forms.
FOR URGENT ON THE DAY REQUESTS PLEASE CONTACT THE SURGERY VIA TELEPHONE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT. TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE DUTY DOCTORS TRIAGE LIST AND YOU WILL HEAR BACK ON THE SAME DAY WITH THE COURSE OF ACTION THE DOCTOR FEELS MEETS YOUR MEDICAL NEED BEST.
- Online requests allow you to submit medical and administrative queries directly to the practice online.
- It can be used to request a GP Letter, Fit (sick) Note, referral update, test results, for medication requests and to request a routine appointment or medical advice from a Clinician.
- Our team will ensure your routine query is directed to the most appropriate person to help you within 5 working days
- For urgent clinical requests please contact the surgery by telephone on 01223 234286 for Firs House Surgery and 01954 251180 for Telegraph Street surgery and your request will be triaged by a clinician.
- For NON URGENT queries & appointment requests please click on the box on the home page
When submitting your medical request, it is important to state how long you have had your symptoms, what your expected outcome is and whether you have already tried remedies or sought help from the Pharmacy. Please remember this is a consultation with a Clinician and should be used after time has been given to allow self-limiting conditions to improve and/or home remedies, Community Pharmacy advice etc have not resolved your problem.
Visit the Accurx webiste for more information - https://www.accurx.com/security
Please go to Practice News for further information about the system, how it will work if you cannot use the forms yourself and for frequently asked questions.
Appointments System
For urgent medical appointments please telephone on the day and your request will be triaged by the Duty Dr on the same day.
Routine medical appointments can be made using the ONLINE NON URGENT QUERY AND APPOINTMENT REQUESTS on the front page of our website, or using the link above. If you do not have access to the internet then please call us on 01223 234286 or 01954 251180 and we will complete the form on your behalf.
Nursing and Blood Test Appointments can be made by either submitting a request on the online form as above or you can telephone the surgery and our Reception team will assist you.
Before requesting an appointment, please read guidance on what service and clinician is best to deal with your symptoms. Click HERE for more information.
In order to be able to book you in with the most appropriate member of clinical staff, our reception team may have to ask you brief questions about your medical condition and the treatment you feel you need. This ensures that you receive the proper level of care and at the most appropriate time.
Any information you give is strictly confidential and all staff are bound by this. If you feel you wish to speak privately, away from reception, then please say. If any issue is very private and you do not wish to give details, this will always be respected.
Enhanced Access
Enhanced Access opening hours in the evening and at weekends
We offer routine, pre-bookable appointments with a GP, nurse, HCA or Phlebotomist which help you to be seen sooner.
How do you book?
You can book an appointment through Reception on 01223 234 286 who will give you the time, date and venue for your appointment.
These are for non-urgent, routine appointments only. Services we can offer within the Extended Access are:
Follow Up Appointments
If a doctor needs to see you for a follow up appointment, you will be given a slip to take to a receptionist to book an appointment with the doctor you were advised to see.
Chaperone
If you require a chaperone during your visit to the doctor or nurse please inform reception preferably when booking your appointment. Our receptionists are trained to be chaperones during consultations.
Home Visits
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00am. A duty doctor will call back the patient to discuss the need for a home visit request in the morning.
You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.
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.
For further information please click here to read our Home Visiting and Information Policy
Cancel an Appointment
It is important that you inform the reception staff if you are unable to attend your appointment, this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters maybe removed from the list.
You can also complete our appointment cancellation notification request form. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance. (excluding weekends and public holidays). You can also text to cancel your appointment.
Text Reminder Service
We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.
To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.
Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.