Appointments
How to request a GP Appointment
We are a Total Triage Practice - All requests for a GP appointment now go through triage/assessment with our clinical team
All GP appointment requests will flow through the triage system to ensure that appointments are booked appropriately, with the right person and within an appropriate timeframe. These decisions will be made by our clinical team based upon information either submitted directly by patients using our online "contact us" system or via our reception team who complete the appointment request form on a patient’s behalf.
Whether a request is submitted on the phone at the reception desk or directly into our system online, all requests will reach our clinical team and be dealt with and be prioritised in the same way.
Once a member of our clinical team has made their decision, they will advise our care navigation team who will be working alongside them which appointment to offer, with who and within what timeframe. Our reception or care navigation teams will not make final decisions over GP appointments these decisions will be taken in full consultation with the clinical tam on duty that day.
We no longer offer the facility to book directly into appointment slots for GP appointments online or via our reception team.
You can book an appointment:
Directly via this website homepage - Click the "Contact Us Online" button and the system will guide you through
Via the NHS App/NHS Login - Log into your account, in the services section choose "View All" and then choose contact your GP about a health problem at which point you will be directed to our online request system
By telephone - If you are unable to access online services you can contact the practice during our opening hours and the team will add the request for you anytime from 8am-6.30pm when the surgery is open
Via reception - If you are unable to access online services you can contact the practice duirng our opening hours and the team will add the request for you anytime from 8am-6.30pm when the surgery is open
IMPORTANT:
Home Visits - please always ring to request a home visit rather than using our online services
Nurse & Healthcare Assistant Appointments
Our reception team can only directly book an appointment for you if:
- You require regular monitoring due to an ongoing diagnosed health condition and this has been documented on your medical records
- A member of our practice clinical team has requested that you have an appointment with a Nurse or Healthcare Assistant
- You have been contacted by the practice clinical admin or clincial team to ask that you book an appointment and this is documented on your medical records
- You are booking in during a national vaccination campaign or as part of an ongoing vaccination/healthcare campaign
- You are booking in for screening and you are eligible at the time of booking
For all other new Nurse or HCA appointment requests, these will need to go via our clinical triage team to assess the reason for an appointment and if its an appropriate request in line with our NHS workload
Requests for Private Healthcare Providers
If general practices receive requests from private providers to arrange tests or investigations, it is important to note that complying with such requests - regardless of the GP’s management and treatment of the patient - is outside the scope of NHS primary medical services.
How Long is an appointment?
Generally the doctors routine appointments are for 15 minutes. If you feel you require longer than the routine time allocated. For example you have more than one problem/procedure to discuss, then please make this clear when requesting the appointment otherwise you may be asked to re-book to discuss other conerns.
Nurse and Healthcare Assistant appointments are of differing lengths depending on the nature of the appointment.
Our receptionist will ask you the reason for the appointment to ensure you are given the correct length of time with the right nurse.
Please note that all medicals require a 30 minute appointment. These are generally carried out on a Saturday at our White Lion surgery. These may be chargeable depending on the type of medical required.
Home Visits
We encourage our patients to come to the surgery where possible. Our surgeries 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 10:00am
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
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 cancel any appointment through your online app click here to access the NHS app
Extended Hours
Routine appointments outside of normal hours are now available for patients.
On Saturdays we provide a morning surgery between 9:00am to 11:45am offering GP and nurse appointments. Saturday afternoons, we offer a wide range of appointments. These will be delivered remotely and the practice will not be open.
To access this service and to book an appointment, please call the Practice.
Opening Times
Training Practice
A number of our Doctors are involved in training future GPs (GP registrars), FY2s (trainee hospital doctors) and medical students.
GP registrars train for a period of 3 years. During this time they will be in General Practice on two occasions generally at the start and end of their training. Whilst they are at Brampton they are fully supervised by their GP trainers and are able to see patients for consultations.
As part of their training they have to video record some of their consultations and you may be asked if you would be happy to take part. At any time you are able to say "no" and this will not prejudice the way your consultation is viewed or handled in any way. If you are happy to be videotaped the receptionist will ask you to read a letter about the process and to sign a consent form. At the end of your consultation, if you don't wish the tape to be used, you can state this and the tape will be erased.
Medical students are usually here for a period of 2 weeks. They sit in with a GP to gain an understanding of the GP's role. As part of their learning the GP may ask them to examine or take a medical history from a patient. At all times the GP will ensure that they are supervised.
If you do not wish to have a trainee GP or medical student observing at your consultation. Please feel free to bring this to the attention of the receptionist or GP. At no time will this decision prejudice your care with us.
Appointment support via our Reception Team
Please be aware to support our patients and our clincial teams our reception team will ask you for the reaosn you require an appointment. They are doin this as part of their job role as requested by the practice GP partners.
- If you request an appointment at your surgery, the receptionist may ask you the reason why you are calling.
- Receptionists are duty-bound to respect your confidentiality at all times, in exactly the same way as your GP or Nurse.
- You may be advised to contact NHS 111 or a community Pharmacy or a walk in minor injuries unit
- It is then your choice what to do with the information you are provided with.
- Our GPs and all the clinical team support this program.
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.
Page created: 06 May 2021