Appointments at the Practice
- Appointments can be made either by telephone, by calling in at the surgery or online (Via the NHS App). You can either book an on the day appointment (if available) or a pre-bookable appointment.
- Please make one appointment for each member of the family who needs to be seen.
- We try to keep to time but please be patient if someone before you takes longer than planned.
- Appointments are normally fifteen minute slots, so if you have a complicated problem, or more than one problem, please ask for a longer appointment.
- It is Practice Policy to allow patients to choose whichever Doctor they wish to attend in the Practice.
NHS App
Download the NHS App, or open the NHS website in a web browser, to set up and log in to your NHS account. Owned and run by the NHS, your NHS account is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services online, including appointments, prescriptions and health record.
It is easier and quicker to manage your appointments via our online service. Simply log in and select an option.
Can another Healthcare Professional help?
Do you need to see the GP?
Sometimes the GP is not the most appropriate Healthcare Professional to deal with your ailment. Please see the information on see a Doctor or Healthcare Professional, which might help you decide whether a GP appointment is truly necessary or whether it might be better for you to see a Pharmacist, Optician, Dentist or other Healthcare Professional. You can even self-refer for some services without seeing your GP.
For real life-threatening emergencies such as those below – RING 999
- Chest pain (suspected heart attack)
- Suspected stroke
- Suspected meningitis
- Anaphylactic shock (severe allergy)
- Heavy bleeding or deep lacerations
- Fluctuating levels of consciousness or completely unconscious
- Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing with a change in colour
- New seizure, fit or uncontrollable shaking
For immediately serious conditions such as the following, GO TO Emergency Department (A&E) IMMEDIATELY
- A fever and lethargic (drowsy) child
- A feverish and floppy (unresponsive) infant
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain
- Accidental or intentional overdose of medication
- Trauma (including falls) and possible broken bones or road traffic accident
Please help us
Please try to be on time for your appointment. If you are late we may not be able to see you (except in an emergency). If you cannot make an appointment for any reason please let us know so that we can give the appointment to another patient.
Appointments
Patient Partner – automated telephone booking system
You can now book your appointment with the Doctor or Nurse Practitioner using our automated telephone system at your convenience 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
How does it work?
To use this system just call the normal surgery telephone number 0191 477 2169 choose option 1 and follow the instructions.
You will be asked to key in your date of birth in 6 digits, for example, if your birthday is 1st of September 1967 you would key in 010967 then press the * key. You will then need to enter your telephone number and press the *key. (You do not need to enter the area code e.g. 0191).
You can also use this system to change or cancel an existing appointment.
IMPORTANT – Please note:
Your telephone number MUST match the details we have for you on your record. Please make sure you update your details with the receptionist.
You will not be able to book double appointments or interpreters, please choose option 0 or hold for reception assistance.
This system is not available to book Practice Nurse appointments due to the varied skill set and appointment time requirements.
For further information please ask at reception.
Pre-bookable
We offer an advanced booking system, which means you can book an appointment up to a maximum of 6 weeks in advance.
Urgent
Telephone consultations
We also offer telephone consultations, should you feel that your problem could be dealt with by speaking to the Doctor.
Additional information
If you have a suspected infectious disease
Please inform reception if you suspect an infectious disease, as this will enable us to deal with it appropriately during your visit to protect you, other patients and staff.
Giving Consent for Treatment
You have the right to accept or refuse treatment that is offered to you, and not to be given any physical examination or treatment unless you have given valid consent. If you do not have the capacity to do so, consent must be obtained from a person legally able to act on your behalf, or the treatment must be in your best interests.
Your valid consent (agreement to the course of action) is needed for the treatment that’s offered to you before any physical examinations or treatment can be given. If you haven’t given your consent, you can accept or refuse treatment that’s offered to you.
It’s important to be involved in decisions about your treatment and to be given information to help you choose the right treatment. When making treatment choices, you’ll often discuss the options with your doctor or another healthcare professional.
Online update
Please check that you are booking your online appointment for the correct site you wish to attend, Oxford Terrace or Rawling Road.Thank you.
In response to our patient’s feedback and to allow our patients more access, we are now offering more appointment slots which you can book from 7:30 the night before the appointment is available, and you can select a doctor from those available on the day of your choice and a suitable time slot.
These appointments are still available via telephone call to reception daily from 8:00 am and 9:00 am Saturday.
If this shows as provisionally booked, please select another appointment slot as someone will have already booked into your original choice.