Booking an Appointment

All of our doctors will help you deal with Acute and long-term health problems and illnesses. This will always involve advice on how you can help yourself, sometimes it will involve treatment in the surgery or medication, and at others referral to local hospitals may be necessary.

Patients can usually see the doctor of their choice for ongoing and long-term health problems. These appointments can be booked up to 4 weeks in advance.  However, when you need to be seen urgently, it may not always be possible to see your usual doctor.

To book an appointment, please either:

• Call our main reception number - 01564 779280.
• Visit reception in person.
• Use the 'Do it Online' tab once you have received login details from Reception.

We make every effort to keep appointment times but there may be occasions when they overrun.

Routine Appointments changes from 1^st July 2013

In response to feedback from patients, regarding waiting times to see a doctor of their choice, we are implementing a new appointment system which should significantly improve this situation. We currently allow patients to book up to 4 weeks ahead, but this means appointments are being booked on a ‘just in case basis’ and then not being used.

From Monday 1^st July we are changing the system so that patients can only book appointments up to two weeks ahead.

The changeover period will take place between Monday 17^th June and Friday 28^th June as appointments are gradually changed from being available for 4 weeks to 2 weeks. From Monday 1^st July all appointments will be available for booking up to 2 weeks ahead. During this changeover period, any patient who needs to be seen will be offered a same day appointment, if they cannot be given a routine appointment within two weeks.

We hope that the new system will help us to provide an improved service and we would ask for your patience and support during the period of transition.

Helping the appointment system run smoothly

• If you are unable to keep your appointment please notify the surgery as soon as possible, (at least 24 hours in advance), by telephoning reception.
• One appointment is for one person.  If you want another member of your family to see the doctor or nurse, please book a further appointment.
• When arriving at the surgery for your appointment, always inform reception or use the patient check in screen.
• Sometimes people can forget to tell the doctor all the important information about their problem.  It may help to write their symptoms down.
• If you don’t understand what the doctor or nurse says to you, please don’t be afraid to ask for a further explanation.
• It can sometimes help to have a partner or friend with you.
• If you are seeing the doctor to discuss the result of an investigation or a recent hospital treatment, check with reception first that any important results or letters have been received.
• Appointments may not be required to have insurance forms completed or renewal of sickness certificates.  Please ask at reception
• If you would like a chaperone please speak to the Doctor.