Appointments

Appointments System

Our appointment system to see a doctor has changed to enable us to manage our patients safely and effectively. 

Appointment system

Our system has changed. You can now contact us by using our website www.familymedicalcentre.co.uk and clicking on the following link Start Online Consultation

You will then be asked to fill in a form with your query.

The team will look at the request and tell you within one working day what will happen next. The practice will make this decision based on clinical need.

· You may be offered an appointment on the day or a later date

· You may have a telephone consultation on the day or a later date

· Your query may be answered by Text or email ( if you have a verified email)

· You may be signposted to the pharmacy or another NHS service.

If you do not have access to online services it is not a problem, you can still call us or visit the practice

Appointments with the Practice Nurses, Health Care assistants and Phlebotomists can be booked in advance. 

Remember, many common illnesses can be treated simply at home or by asking your pharmacist for advice.

Online Consultation Service

If you need urgent help, please call the practice.

For non-urgent medical or administrative help, you can contact us using our online consultation tool.

This service allows you to tell us about your symptoms, ask questions, or request advice without needing to phone or attend the surgery.

Your request will be reviewed by our clinical or administrative team.

Submissions are reviewed during our normal working hours, and we will provide a response once your request has been assessed.

Response times can differ depending on the nature of your enquiry and overall demand.

Please note: this service is not monitored continuously, and response times may vary.

If you have a medical emergency or need help outside of practice hours, please contact NHS 111 or 999 as appropriate.

GP+ Extended Access

As part of the Government’s plans to improve healthcare we now have early morning appointments available  *from 7.30am, mainly to see patients who are unable to attend during the day for their appointment. Please note no reception staff are on duty at these times, and you will therefore not be able to contact the Practice by phone. If you are late for an early morning appointment you will not be seen. If you need to cancel you appointment within 24 hours please either phone, text facility, or use the website form. When you arrive for your appointment please wait in the waiting room and one of the doctor’s/healthcare team will call you.

This service will be for routine medical conditions and is not an emergency service. The service is limited where doctors will be restricted in their physical examination of patients, and scope to arrange investigation.

Patients will therefore not be able to have blood tests, smear tests or an intimate examination requiring assistance from a chaperone, any chronic disease management review, or dressings or ear syringing, but will have to return for a day-time appointment if these services are required. Young children and the elderly who require to be brought to the surgery by working family members will also be welcome to these appointments.

If you become unwell after 6:30pm please call NHS 111 or in an emergency call 999.

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 from 8am.

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.

Chaperones

If you would like a chaperone present during your consultation please ask the receptionist when booking the appointment or checking in. You can also ask the doctor or nurse during your consultation.

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.

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.

Teaching and Training

Visiting Doctors

As a training practice, we have qualified Registrars and Foundation doctors with us, who are fully qualified doctors, gaining experience in general practice, after working in hospitals.

Sometimes we will also have locum doctors standing in, whilst your doctor is away. 

Visiting Students

We are committed to education and research, so you may find that a medical or nursing student or a pharmacist is sitting in, with a doctor. The receptionists will tell you if this is the case and should you prefer to see the doctor alone, they will be happy to arrange this.