Does this mean I can only book appointments on the day I ring?

No. If after you have spoken to the doctor you need an appointment, you can arrange one that is convenient, even if you want one several days later.

Do I have to ring first thing in the morning to get an appointment?

No, please don’t! If everyone rings at 8.30 we cannot answer most of the calls. Unless the surgery is exceptionally busy we take routine phone call bookings until mid-afternoon at the earliest, though it does help us plan the day if you can call before 10.30.

*Note* You are now able to book triage appointments online. 

Will I be seen in person if this is needed?

Yes. The system means that by dealing with straightforward things over the phone we have enough surgery appointments to ensure that you can see someone in person if you need to.

What if I have problems getting to the phone?

Please let us know if you have difficulty using the phone and we will make special arrangements. If you cannot take a call at work you can ask for an early call from the doctor at 8.00 am, or usually we can arrange to ring you when you have a break. We also understand that you may not want to discuss personal things if you can be overheard, so let the receptionist know when you first ring if this is the case.

What if I cannot get to the surgery for my appointment during normal opening hours?
We offer a small number of appointments each week for patients who find it difficult getting to the surgery during our normal opening hours. These run one evening per week, usually a Monday or Wednesday and on a Saturday morning.. 

Home Visits:

If you are too ill to attend the surgery we will visit you at home. Please telephone before 10:30am so that the doctors can plan their rounds for the day. Please note that we will not be able to visit you on the same day unless you call by 10:30a, except in cases of real emergency. If your own doctor is not available another doctor from the surgery will visit you.