Appointments
Appointment System
Routine Appointments
We offer both face to face and telephone appointments. If you need to see a GP or nurse then you must book an appointment.
This can be done by either:
Telephone on 01204 463444
Alternatively, you can use Online Consult.
If you are more than 10 minutes late for your face to face appoint, there is a possibility you may not be seen and you will be asked to rearrange. If you have a telephone appointment, the GP will make two attempts to call you and if you do not take the call, you will be asked to rearrange.
If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know 24 hours before so we can cancel it and use it for somebody else.
You can do this either:
Telephone Appointments
If you have a problem you think could be resolved over the phone, let the receptionist know.
Please give clear details to the receptionist of your problem to ensure the telephone is the most appropriate way to deal with it.
Some problems we cannot deal with by phone and you may be asked to attend the practice.
When requesting a telephone appointment, give up to date contact details, we will need to phone you back.
Urgent / Same Day Appointments
As well as our routine appointments, we have urgent face to face and telephone appointments available each day. If you feel your problem is more urgent and you cannot wait for a routine appointment, you can call reception and ask to be seen or called that day.
The receptionist will also ask you the reason for your appointment. This is so they can get the right information to pass on to the GP who can make a decision.
You can also request an appointment online using our online triage form. Once you have completed this form, it will be triaged and you may be asked to speak to a doctor/nurse. If, after assessment, your problem is not deemed to be urgent, you will be given an appropriate alternative appointment.
Our Online Consult service is available 06:00 – 12:00, Monday – Friday.
Home Visits
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00.
You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls
Extended Access Appointments
You can also book appointments at our Astley-Dale Branch during our extended access opening hours:
Wednesday: 18:30 - 20:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00
Please ask reception for more information or if you would like to book an appointment.
When You Need More Specialist Care
Our staff are very well qualified and experienced in diagnosing and treating most common conditions. When they need to refer you to another healthcare team for further investigations or treatment, they will discuss the options with you.
Most referrals are handled through a telephone booking system which will be explained to you at the time. If you need to go to hospital you will be given a choice of which hospital you wish to go to.
Not Registered for Online Services?
Using the NHS APP
Cancellations & Reminders
Cancel an Appointment
It is important that you inform the reception staff if you are unable to attend your appointment, this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters maybe removed from the list.
You can also complete our appointment cancellation notification request form. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance. (excluding weekends and public holidays). You can also text to cancel your appointment.
Late For Your Appointment
Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until the next working day-except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Interpreter
If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and they will arrange this for you.
Text Reminder Service
We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.
To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.
Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.
Extended Practice Opening Hours
Improving Access to General Practice - Evening and Weekend Appointments
Evening and weekend appointments are now available. Patients who are registered at this practice can now book an appointment to see a GP or nurse on Wednesday evenings (after 18:30) or at the weekends (on Saturdays).
The extended service is based at Astley-Dale Surgery.
Ask the practice receptionist to find out more or book an appointment.
Opening Times
When We Are Closed
If the surgery is closed and you require urgent medical help that cannot wait until the surgery re-opens, you can telephone the out of hours service on 0161 763 8940 or 111. If you ring the surgery telephone line on 01204 463444 you will hear the message for what action to take whilst we are closed.
Click here to access NHS 111 online or call 111 to speak to a staff member.
Please note: If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, please call 999.
When to got to A&E
An A&E department (also known as emergency department or casualty) deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
- stroke
- major trauma such as a road traffic accident
Pharmacy First Service
You can get free advice at the local pharmacy for many common illnesses.
Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.