How to make an appointment

Please ring the surgery to book a same day appointment with one of our Clinicians. Please be prepared to give a brief information about your request to the receptionist who can then book you in with the appropriate Clinician. Our receptionists are trained for this

Nurses appointments can be booked in advance

What do I do in an emergency

stethoscope1If you need urgent medical advice during surgery hours, please phone the surgery on 01268 542866. Please be prepared to give some information to the receptionist. If you need to see a doctor urgently when the surgery is closed please phone the surgery on 01268 542866 and follow the instructions. You will be put through to the 111 service for out of hours. They will pass a message to the doctor on duty who may phone you to assess your problem. You might be asked to attend the out-of-hours clinic, or receive a home visit.

Calling NHS 111 offers free expert health information and advice 24 hours a day. It can advise you whether you need to go to the nearest A&E (accident and emergency) or if there is an alternative such as visiting an NHS walk-in centre. If English is not your preferred language, you can choose to use a confidential translation service. The nearest NHS minor injuries unit is located at Orsett hospital and they provide advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses and injuries. Please ring for their dates and times of opening. If you or someone else experiences severe chest pain, loss of blood or suspected broken bones, go to your nearest accident and emergency department or call 999.

Triage

dr_and_babyThe purpose of ‘triage’ is to ensure that all patients are dealt with fairly by an appropriate member of the team and to ensure that problems are dealt with urgently if necessary. Every morning we run a service for patients who request an urgent appointment. When you request such an appointment your name and current telephone number will be given to the GP on call with a brief description of the problem. These calls are taken up to 10.00am. All staff adhere to strict terms of confidentiality. If your condition deteriorates you should telephone the surgery again or attend A&E (accident and emergency).

Why might it be difficult to get an appointment

The surgery is particularly busy on Mondays and Tuesdays especially during the winter months. Last month 148 patients failed to turn up for their appointment. If you let us know as soon as possible you can't attend your appointment, we can then make it available for another patient. If we can’t offer you an immediate appointment, we may phone back to offer you a cancellation slot. You can book to have a telephone consultation with a doctor if you wish. He or she will ring you at an agreed time on the telephone number you have given. If you are only available on a mobile phone, you will be expected to ring the practice at the agreed time.

What if I can't get an appointment

The surgery is particularly busy on Mondays and Tuesdays especially during the winter months. If your appointment is not urgent, try to book on a less busy day after 10.30am. Last month 124 patients failed to turn up for their appointment. If you let us know as soon as possible you can't attend your appointment, we can then make it available for another patient. If we can’t offer you an immediate appointment, we may phone back to offer you a cancellation slot. You can book to have a telephone consultation with a doctor if you wish. He or she will ring you at an agreed time on the telephone number you have given. If you are only available on a mobile phone, you will be expected to ring the practice at the agreed time. You can now use the GP online service and a doctor will contact you within 2 days.

Routine appointments

THERE ARE NO ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS WITH A GP AT THIS TIME.

If you need to book a routine follow-up appointment with a particular GP, you will need to speak to a GP for their guidance. Please phone after 10.30am to avoid busy times. Many routine appointments are for patients who have a long-term or chronic condition that needs monitoring on a regular basis. We will let you know when your next appointment is due with the practice nurse or doctor. If this time is not convenient, please telephone reception to re-arrange it. It is important to continue your regular check-ups, even if you are feeling well. Routine appointments are available during normal surgery hours with the practice nurse and/or doctor. We hold regular clinics for asthma, COPD, diabetes etc . Please see the ‘services and clinics’ section for the full list.

Same day appointments

We are a busy practice, and providing some same day appointments makes it easier for you to see a doctor quickly. 50% of our GP triage only appointments are same day telephone calls and possible appointment. You can phone anytime from 8.00 am to 10.00 am for same day telephone triage only.

Call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergencyNHS ChoicesThis site is brought to you by My Surgery Website