Appointments

Patients are able to request appointments using the NHS app, website or by phone, by completing a triage form.

Our aim is to give everyone fair and equal access to care. We will work to ensure that we have enough appointments to see patients that need to be seen urgently. We have recently changed our appointment system to ensure this happens and make sure all requests are triaged before an appointment is offered. We do concede though that there may be a longer wait for routine appointments.

If we have reached our capacity we may direct you to call 111. We will also refer you to urgent care centres, minor injury units or a local pharmacy if we feel they can help you.

How to request an appointment

If you use these options you can complete the form on behalf of          someone else. 

 

Types of appointments

Minor illness / Self Care

Many minor illnesses can be managed by community pharmacies. This short video explains what the Pharmacy First Service is and what help you can expect to receive. Further information is also available on the NHS website: How pharmacies can help - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Consider phoning NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online to find the best place to get help with your symptoms.

Information on self care: https://staugustinessurgery.nhs.uk/patient-care-support/what-support-do-i-need/self-care.

Information on other local services: 

Find NHS services near you - St Augustine's Medical Practice

For those with children, please visit the following website which gives you useful information about how to you manage your unwell child: https://what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell

Urgent appointments

For all GP appointments please

You can also visit 111 Online (NHS website) or call NHS 111 for general medical advice.

You will still be able to book nurse or blood test appointments with the reception team. 

Routine appointments

For all GP appointments please

You will still be able to book nurse or blood test appointments with the reception team. 

What to do when we are closed

If you require urgent medical assistance outside of our opening hours you should use the NHS 111 Online or Call NHS 111 Out of Hours service.

This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

Call 111 if:

You need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency.

You think you need to go to accident and emergency or NHS urgent care service.

You don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call.

You need health information or reassurance about what to do next.

 

Walk Ins

We do not offer a walk-in service.

Missed Appointments

The impact of patients failing to attend appointment can be significant and may result in you not being able to see a member of the practice team on the day that you wish to.

Our practice policy is that if you fail to attend two consecutive appointments without informing us, we will write to you asking whether there are specific problems preventing you from letting us know.

If you fail to attend a further appointment, you may be removed from the practice list.

 

Do you need a longer appointment?

If your problem is more complicated or you think you may need longer than 10 minutes, then please feel free to book a double appointment. Female patients who may have been advised, or anticipate, an internal examination or smear should book a double appointment. (However, most routine smears are done by the nurses, not the Doctors)

Please try not to bring a long list of problems to the doctor

If there are several things that are worrying you, do mention them but if the doctor feels they are not linked together, he or she might ask you to come back another time for some of the problems.

Try to be concise and to the point

You might want to jot down a few points on a piece of paper before you come to see us. Over 90% of the information gained in making a diagnosis comes from the symptoms given to us and not the examination, as people often think. If you can give us an accurate and concise history, it makes our job much easier.