Appointments

You can make or change an appointment by telephoning the Appointments number 0191 271 9030 or by coming into the Health Centre.

You may ask for a specific GP, or for the next available appointment with any GP, or you can check the availability of appointments on a particular date.

If you arrive too late for your appointment (after the end) we will try to fit you in. But this usually means you will be waiting to the end of the surgery (about an hour). If this is not convenient for you, then you should make a new appointment at a time when you can attend on time.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please tell us as soon as possible, so that someone else can have it.

Our GP appointments are 12 minutes long on average, but you can ask for a longer one if you need it. Just let the receptionist know when you book. You can book in advance, up to three months ahead.

We have a bookable GP surgery for registered patients three times a day, Monday to Friday, twice on a Saturday and an open access GP surgery on a Sunday. But let us know if these times do not suit you and we will try to accommodate your needs.

The practice nurse holds bookable surgeries Monday to Friday. Please see opening times.

Telephone Consultations

A lot of things can be sorted out on the phone, which saves you a trip to the Health Centre, so we have made sure that you can arrange to talk to a GP by phone too. You can ring anytime we are open and leave a message for the doctor to ring you back. Make sure you are available and that your phone accepts incoming calls.

Urgent Appointments

We will always ensure you are seen appropriately if you have an urgent problem.

If you can come down to the health centre, then your urgent medical matters can be addressed from 08:00 to 20:00 seven days a week.

Walk-in Service

The Walk-in Service is for minor illness, minor injury and health promotion advice. It is available 08:00 to 20:00 every day of the year. As we close at 20:00, make sure you get here well before that time to avoid disappointment.

There are no booked appointments for the Walk-in Service. When you arrive, go to reception and say you have come to use the Walk-in Service. The receptionist will ask you to complete a form and then ask you to take a seat. Be sure to let her/him know if you feel your condition is too urgent to wait a few minutes.

The Walk-In Service is for...

Minor illness… what we mean by minor illness is problems like these:

• high temperature; headaches and dizziness
• coughs, colds, ‘flu-like’ symptoms and hay-fever
• ear, nose and throat infections e.g. minor infections such as sore throats, and ear aches
• eye care e.g. conjunctivitis, styes, removal of foreign bodies as appropriate
• stomach ache, indigestion, constipation, vomiting and diarrhoea
• dermatology and Skin complaints e.g. rashes, minor allergic reactions, scabies, head lice, sunburn; non recurrent impetigo
• genito-urinary problems e.g. urinary infections and thrush

Minor injury… we can help with minor injuries such as:

• small wounds, e.g. superficial cuts, abrasions and bruises, minor burns and scalds, insect or animal bites, providing tetanus boosters for those at risk of tetanus
• minor head injuries (no loss of consciousness)
• muscle and joint injury, e.g. strains and sprains, back pain, tendonitis

Health promotion… Emergency contraception, Pregnancy testing and advice, Chlamydia screening and condom distribution

Ø             Treatment… if the nurse practitioner offers you some medication as part of your treatment, it will be subject to the usual NHS prescription charge (where applicable).

The Walk In service is NOT for…

Major illness or injury, pregnancy related conditions, dental, mental health, second opinions, repeat prescriptions, repeat dressings, drug/alcohol addiction, asthma attacks/wheezy chests (especially in children) menstrual problems or road traffic accidents over 20mph.

Long term conditions and more than minor illness should be directed to your own GP.

More than minor injuries should be directed to A&E.

Home Visits

If you do decide a visit is necessary, please let us know straight away. We realise that no-one knows in advance that they are going to be ill, but if you can tell us in the morning it helps us to plan our work.

We do not do visits after 18:30 on weekdays or during the weekend (or on Bank Holidays). At these times, if you need a doctor urgently, please call the NDUC Out of Hours GP service on 0845 60 80 320

A doctor will phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a district nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the surgery.