We are aware of the difficulties facing primary care at this time and how they have hugely impacted our surgery as well. We have seen unprecedented demand on the phones and appointments and this shows no signs of abating. The current system we have appears to now be adding to the problems patients are encountering on already busy phone lines, creating yet more of a bottleneck.
Therefore we have spent some time deciding the best course of action and feel a change to the appointment system would be of benefit. We want to be less restrictive with phone times to help you and also to help our Reception team. We hope to spread the calls over the day more and not have a purely ‘book in the day’ system.
Appointments for a week will be released allowing future booking and additional continuity for you as well.
How?
eConsult NHS App SystmOnline Log In Airmid App- All appointment slots will be available online to help reduce phone demand
- You can also telephone for an appointment at any time of the day
- When booking appointments online, they will appear as a face to face or telephone slot
However, if you require something not appearing available online, then do speak to Reception. There is always the risk of all these appointments going quickly and thus having to ring for something a few days later. We need to avoid bottlenecks on the phone lines at 8am and 1:30pm as this just causes increasing wait times which are unacceptable.
- Emergency Appointments: We will of course have emergency appointments available and a Duty Doctor always available for any emergencies. We will review these arrangements regularly and do hope you will get behind us and support this new transition
- Telephone appointments: please note you will book into a time slot but will not be called at this exact time. Morning appointments will be called between 8am and 12.30pm and afternoon appointments will be called between 2pm and 6.30pm. You will be called twice and in the event of both being failed encounters you will need to re-book an appointment
Patients are always at the heart of everything we do. As you are well aware, we have been working hard and have never stopped seeing patients through the pandemic and are grateful for your support as well. We do appreciate your frustrations too and they are shared by us.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding whilst we convert to the new system.
Nurse Appointments
Please read before booking an appointment with a nurse.
Please book to see a Practice Nurse for the following ailments:
- Asthma checks (Over 6 yr olds only)
- Cervical screening (Nurse Hilary, Nurse Amy, Nurse Angela)
- COPD (Nurse Hilary only)
- Diabetic check
- Contraception pill check
- Dressings
- Removal of stitches
- Smoking cessations (Nurse Hilary, Nurse Amy, Nurse Angela)
- Baby immunisations (8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 12 months and 3 year old pre-school imms)
- Travel immunisations
Please put a brief reason for your nurse appointment in the description box when booking.
If the reason for your appointment is not on the above list then please contact the surgery on 01702 710131 to book an appointment. If there is no reason stated for the appointment or if we feel your appointment has been booked inappropriately we may contact you to discuss this further, or alternatively, cancel the appointment.