Our advice about how to use the Appointments system effectively
We know it is sometimes frustrating trying to make an appointment to see a doctor. The demand for appointments rises year on year but over the years the NHS GP Service has not been funded to meet this increased demand as health needs grow. We are doing all we can to help. We have introduced a new telephone system with features that we hope will reduce the frustration and enable you to jump the queue if you require something other than an appointment. You’ll also know where you are in the queue to speak to the receptionist.
All our appointment requests, except nursing and diabetic foot checks, are now made online, this allows us to properly assess your needs and provide you with timely and appropriate care. This means you’ll be spending less time on the phone waiting and your requests will be reviewed by a doctor. We are committed to providing the best care for your conditions, when discussing an ongoing problem, it is important to consult the same doctor you’ve seen previously. If you are unable to access online services, you can contact reception on 01689 850012 and they will complete a request on your behalf. For more information see our page about Total Triage.
Not all problems need to be seen by a doctor, we have other specialist staff on-site such as podiatrists, physiotherapists, mental heath practitioners, paramedics and pharmacists. The triaging doctor reviews all requests and if they feel it is appropriate, you may be offered an appointment with one of these clinicians.
You can also self-refer for many problems, follow the link for more information.
When you are offered an appointment, following GP triage, there is also the option to book you an appointment at evenings and weekends with one of the local Extended Access GP Hubs. Although this won’t be with one of the GSGMC doctors, it will be with another local GP who has full access to all your medical records and can prescribe and refer you as normal.