Appointments
You can find out how to book an appointment by clicking the ‘appointments’ tab on the home page of our website, you need to have registered online using the patient access app ( which can be accessed by clicking on the online services tab on the main page) before booking appointments. An alternative way to book appointments is to complete an econsult form under the blue heading further down the main page labelled ‘contact your GP online’.
Talking to the receptionist
If you call us to book an appointment you will speak to a member of our reception staff.
The reception staff member might ask you some questions to find out more about why you need an appointment. This is so that they can make sure that they book you an appointment with the right health professional, at the right time and at the right place. All reception staff keep the information you give them confidential.
If you come into the practice to book an appointment then you can ask to speak to the receptionist in private, away from the reception desk or you can ask to write down your concerns and hand it to them so that they can read it.
If you feel your issue is very private and do not wish to say what this is, then this will be respected.
If you require any reasonable adjustments for your appointment, you can tell the receptionist so that they can make the doctor or healthcare professional you are going to see or speak to aware.
Busier times at the practice are between 8am and 9am.
Before your appointment
When you arrive at the practice you will need to tell the receptionist that you are there for your appointment. This usually involves going up to the front reception desk and telling them your name and date of birth so that they can find you on their record system.
They will book you in and then ask you to take a seat to wait to be called. When the doctor is ready to see you, your name will appear on the digital announcement board. If this is not working, then either the receptionist or the doctor will come and tell you that you can be seen.
It might be helpful to ask how long you might be waiting. You can also ask to wait outside or in a quieter space. You can bring things with you to the appointment to help you wait and feel comfortable during the appointment.
During your appointment
During your appointment your doctor will probably make an assessment about your health condition by asking questions about:
- your medical history, and your family’s medical history
- any pain or discomfort you might be experiencing
- your lifestyle and any recent events in your life that might be affecting your wellbeing
- any sleep problems or changes in appetite
- your mood, thoughts and behaviours – sometimes by using questionnaires or forms which measure depression and anxiety
They might also check your physical health which might involve:
- taking your blood pressure
- measuring your weight and height
- examining any body parts that you may have complaints or concerns about
Your doctor should tell you what they are going to do before they do it.
Based on what you have told the doctor, what your doctor thinks might help and what kinds of support you would like your doctor will tell you what the next steps will be. This might be:
- referring you for further tests (like blood tests, or an outpatient’s appointment at the hospital or another clinic)
- giving you a treatment plan or prescribing some medication
- referring you to another professional who might be able to help more
- arranging a follow up appointment in a few weeks or months’ time
You can ask your doctor to summarise the next steps and write them down in bullet points if it will help you to remember what to do.
If you have further questions about any reasonable adjustments you might need before coming in for your appointment, then you can contact the receptionists at the surgery.
