Patient Access
Appointments System
The appointment system operates both for your convenience and to aid the doctor. There should be one patient to one appointment. The appointments are for 10 minutes so please do try to keep each appointment for 1 problem only. Double appointments can be booked if you need more time with the doctor. To receive the highest quality of care we suggest you see the same GP whenever possible.
Abuse of the system will result in considerable inconvenience for patients, staff and doctors.
We also offer ONLINE appointments, please ask a member of staff for the online registration procedure.
THE PRACTICE IS NOW BACK TO SEEING PATIENTS FACE TO FACE BUT PLEASE INFORM RECEPTION STAFF WHEN BOOKING APPOINTMENTS IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF COVID.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE PRACTICE IS YOU ARE COVID POSITIVE!!
Non-urgent advice: Notice
Please note a GP surgery receptionist is not simply someone who answers the phone, they are specially trained to help you get the most appropriate treatment as fast as possible.
In order to do this, they need to ask you questions about why you need to see a Doctor, often they might be able to get you a nurse appointment faster.
Late For Your Appointment
Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until the next working day-except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Non Urgent Appointments
Please telephone 0191 522 9908, pressing option 1 for appointments between 08:30 – 18:00 to make an appointment.
Emergencies
If you feel you need to be seen as an emergency, please ring the surgery before 10:30 for a morning appointment, or before 16:00 for an afternoon appointment.
This should be a new problem, or deterioration in an existing problem, that you feel will not wait until the next available appointment.
Telephone Advice in Surgery Hours
If you need advice about a health problem or simply wish to speak to a doctor or nurse please contact the surgery. We will ask you for your name, contact number and brief description of your query, if you are able to give it.
Please let us know if it is a personal matter and you do not feel able to tell us. You call will be returned as soon as a doctor or nurse becomes available.
Home Visits
If possible please try to telephone the surgery before 10:00 if you require a home visit. A doctor may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or arrange a hospital attendance.
House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of an illness or disability.
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.
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.
Interpreter
If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and she will arrange this for you.
Private Medical Examinations
Medical examinations for special purposes such as pre-employment, fitness to travel, elderly drivers, fitness to undertake sports etc., will require longer than a routine appointment.
These examinations do not form part of NHS Services, you will be charged for any such examination.
Please check the fee chargeable page here before arranging any such examination. Please inform the receptionist when arranging such appointments.