Appointments

We are currently piloting a new appointment system based on patient feedback.

We understand that our current system of calling at 8am can be stressful for our patients.

Our aim is to ensure a fairer system for patients and better continuity of care.

For every GP appointment request, a form will be completed and passed to a doctor who will clinically assess the request.

There will be 4 ways to contact the practice under the new system

1. By using the NHS App to complete an Accurx form
2. Via the link on our website online consultation
3. Uou can still call our Patient Navigator Team who will complete the form on your behalf
4. At front desk where forms will be available to complete

We will process all requests in the same way; no route will be quicker than another.

Our GP clinical team will review each request using a structured format.

This process will help us prioritise appointments based on clinical need, utilising our multi-disciplinary team as well as community services such as pharmacy first.  We will also be focusing on providing our patients with continuity of care.

We will be using this system for medical problems and some admin requests.

Many local surgeries have already adopted this new system with positive feedback.

We hope most people will use the online system although we do understand that not everyone wants to (or can) fill out an online form.  If you are having difficulties, a member of the Patient Navigating Team can do this on your behalf.

Offering this new option will reduce phones calls. Those who cannot get online will find it easier to get through.

What questions will I be asked?

All patient’s requesting a GP appointment will be asked three main questions.

• Describe your medical problem
• How long have these symptoms or concerns been going on?
• Have to tried anything to help?
• How would you like us to help?

If you complete an online form, please do not phone the surgery as well.  This duplicates our workload and it will take longer for your request to be dealt with.

We are very lucky to have a wide range of clinicians available at the practice to help you with your needs.  These include GP’s, Physician Assistants, Minor Illness Nurses, Physios, Pharmacists and an extensive Nursing Team.

Our Patient Navigation Team are trained to ask certain questions in order to ensure that you receive the best medical care, from the most suited health professional, at the appropriate time.

Routine GP Appointments – We can offer these up to 2 weeks in advance and they are released daily at 8am.  Once these appointments have been taken, more appointments will be made available the following day.  Routine appointments are often very limited later in the day.

Urgent Care Appointments – We have an Urgent Care Team made up of GPs, Minor Illness Nurses, Physician Associates and Pharmacists who deal with urgent only matters, on the day.

Routine Nurses Appointments – These can be booked up to 6 weeks ahead which can include blood tests, dressings, injections and child immunisations.

Routine Pharmacists Appointments – Our Pharmacy Team deal with medication reviews as well as Long Term Condition Reviews, these can also be booked up to 6 weeks ahead.

Physio Appointments - Our Physio is available for all musculoskeletal problems and is able to carry out joint injections.

Pharmacy First Referrals - Our Patient Navigators can make appointments directly with a Pharmacy of your choice to discuss many minor ailments.

We encourage patients to attend the surgery where possible however home visits are available if you are housebound or too ill to come to the surgery.  Please contact the surgery and one of our Patient Navigators will book an appointment with a member of our Urgent Care Team who will establish whether a home visit is required.

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit.  There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the Health Centre.

We support the national drive to improve access to General Practice by providing additional appointments outside of our core opening hours. These appointment are offered with a range of clinicians from routine GP appointments, nurse treatment room and practice pharmacists.

You may be offered an early morning (before 8am) or evening (after 6.30pm). If this is something you would prefer please ask about availability when booking an appointment.

Saturday morning surgeries are held at our St George site, appointments bookable in advance - the practice is not open to other callers and the telephones are unmanned.

It is important that you inform us if you are unable to attend your appointment, in sufficient time that the appointment can be offered to another patient.  We monitor DNA (Did Not Attend) rates and action may be taken against persistent offenders which may include removal from the practice list.

We recommend registering for Online Access - you can then cancel any booked appointment online, whether you booked it online or not.