How our appointment system works

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Booking Your Appointment:

When you contact the practice, our Patient Care Team will triage your call. This means they will assess whether your need is urgent or routine:

  • Urgent appointments:

If your issue is urgent, the team will book you in to see a clinician on the same day. If we have reached our safe capacity for the day, they will guide you to another appropriate service to ensure you receive timely care.

  • Routine appointments:

If your issue is routine, the team will direct you to our Online Consultation System, where you can complete a form. This form goes directly to our Digital Care Team, who:

  • Review and triage all submitted forms
  • Work with our triage GP for clinical oversight
  • Book appointments with the most appropriate clinician or service

This process ensures you are seen by the right clinician or service at the right time.

Preparing for Your Appointment:

To get the most from your appointment, it’s important to prepare in advance:

  • Ensure you arrive on time, allowing enough time to travel to your local surgery. If you arrive late, there is a risk you may be marked as missing the appointment, which could delay your care.
  • Wear comfortable, appropriate clothing, especially if you are having an examination, blood test, or ECG.
  • Bring any relevant medications, lists of symptoms, or previous test results.
  • Consider writing down any questions you want to ask the clinician, so you don’t forget.
  • Appointments are generally 15 minutes for one problem. If you have multiple issues, please specify this when booking so a double appointment can be arranged.

Being prepared helps your clinician give you the best possible care.

Who You Might See:

We have a diverse team of healthcare professionals who work together to provide comprehensive care. Depending on your needs, you might see:

Clinical Team

  • General Practitioners (GPs): Our GPs diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, manage long-term illnesses, prescribe medications, and refer patients to specialist services when needed.
  • Physician Assistants: Our Physician Assistants work under the supervision of GPs to assess, diagnose, and manage patient care, including performing physical examinations and interpreting test results.
  • GP Registrars: Our GP Registrars are fully qualified doctors undergoing specialist training in general practice. They are supervised by our experienced GPs and contribute to patient care.

Nursing Team

  • Practice Nurses: Our Practice Nurses provide a variety of services, including chronic disease management, immunisations, and health screenings.
  • Nurse Manager: Our Nurse Manager oversees the nursing team, ensuring high standards of care and supporting professional development.
  • Trainee Nursing Associate: Our Trainee Nursing Associates work alongside registered nurses to provide patient care, gaining experience and training in the process.
  • Healthcare Assistants: Our HCAs are trained to perform a range of clinical tasks, such as:
  • Taking blood samples (phlebotomy)
  • Performing ECGs
  • Conducting long-term condition checks
  • Assisting with dressings and injections
  • Clinical Pharmacists: Our Clinical Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who specialise in the use of medicines. They work as part of the team to ensure patients receive the most effective and safe medication management.
  • Mental Health Practitioners: Our in-house Mental Health Practitioners offer support for various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and stress. They provide counselling and can refer patients to specialist services if needed.
  • First Contact Physiotherapists: Our First Contact Physiotherapists are available to assess and treat musculoskeletal issues, such as back, hip, knee, and neck pain, without the need to see a GP first.
  • Social Prescribers: Our Social Prescribers connect patients with community resources and support services, helping with issues like housing, social isolation, and accessing local activities to improve overall well-being.

Heidi Scribe:

We may use a tool called Heidi Scribe, which transcribes the conversation to ensure accurate records. All patients are opted in by default, but you can opt out at any time if you prefer not to have your consultation transcribed. This helps your clinician accurately capture details discussed in the appointment and ensures your ongoing care is as thorough and safe as possible.