How can I book an appointment?

How can I book an appointment with the surgery?

• Email FIRST or use A PATIENT ACCESS APP TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT  if not urgent (see below for email links)
  • You may also wish to visit the NHS online 111 service for advice about your medical problem
  • https://111.nhs.uk/
  • We will normally answer your email within 48 hours (2 working days) after receiving your request. e.g If you send us an email on a Saturday and there is a bank holiday on the Monday we may not answer your email until the end of Wednesday (2 working days).

• If your problem is life-threatening call 999 or 111 
  • Examples of life threatening problems: severe chest pain, severe shortness of breath, symptoms of a stroke (slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body of face)

• If you have an urgent problem (that is not life-threatening) ALWAYS CALL the practice ON 01584 872939
  • Please call early in the morning if you need an “urgent” book on the day appointment or after 10am if its not urgent.
  • You may be asked what the appointment is for by the receptionist in order to guide you to the most appropriate clinician.
  • Please answer their questions as fully as you can in order to help them book the best suited appointment for you.
  • Types of urgent (but not life-threatening) problems:
    • children with high fever that are not getting better with usual remedies,
    • elderly patients who appear more confused than usual and may have a urine infection
    • severe pain which is a new problem and not getting better with paracetamol
    • shortness of breath which is new and unexplained
    • a faint or collapse which is new and unexplained

• IF you have a new or worsening problem (that is not urgent but is worrying you and getting worse)
  • You may wish to fill in the form below detailing your new and worrying problem:

BACK-LOG FORM

EASING OF APPOINTMENTS (POST-LOCKDOWN)

As a practice we are aware of the communication from NHSE and media recently regarding the opening up of GP receptions and appointments as of Monday 17th May. As a practice we have constantly reviewed how we can maximise patient access, whilst maintaining safety for patients and staff safely as guidance changes. Portcullis, like other practices, employed a telephone first system at the height of the pandemic however we are proud to say that we have never stopped offering face-to-face appointments or home visits and have maintained most services throughout the pandemic; including phlebotomy, ear irrigation, baby clinics, minor surgery and family planning. In some cases we have expanded services such as evening appointments, counselling services and Help to Quit services.

From the 17th May we are now opening up some directly bookable face to face appointments with clinicians for those who struggle with the telephone. These should be booked ideally via email or reception, not in person. These appointments are LIMITED IN NUMBER and will be offered as a priority to patients who are hard of hearing or who have difficulty using a telephone for consultations.

The waiting room and reception area will remain only for those with pre-booked appointments until we complete building work to make our staff safe and Covid-19 secure.

DETAILED INFORMATION ON BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT

Booking an appointment via THE PORTCULLIS email booking system

If you need a routine appointment, advice, help with test results, repeat prescriptions or a sick note you can request what you need by using the form in the link below. It takes less than a minute to compete and send.

IF YOU’RE APPOINTMENT IS URGENT YOU MUST PHONE US, NOT EMAIL

We will normally answer your email within 48 hours (2 working days) after receiving your request. e.g If you send us an email on a Saturday and there is a bank holiday on the Monday we may not answer your email until the end of Wednesday (2 working days).

E-MAILING THE PRACTICE

If you have new or worsening or worrying symptoms you might wish to use this more detailed form instead

BACK-LOG FORM

Urine Infections

If you think you have a urine infection and your symptoms are not severe please fill in the form below and a clinician will call you back on the same day.

Email us if you think you have Cystitis (a urine infection)

Booking online VIA A PATIENT ACCESS APP 

Once you have registered for online access you can also book an appointment here: https://www.patientaccess.com/

Not all available appointments are visible online, if you cannot find a convenient time or the type of appointment you need, please call the surgery.

For more information on how to register online following the link below:

Booking Appointments Online