Contact us with Accurx
You can contact a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional online using a website called Accurx.
Think Pharmacy First
Before booking an appointment, did you know that a pharmacist can help with various conditions under the Pharmacy First service?
This service covers:
- acute otitis media
- impetigo
- infected insect bites
- shingles
- sinusitis
- sore throats
- uncomplicated urinary tract infections for women aged 16 to 64 years
They can also assist with conditions such as:
- aches and pains
- fever
- colds
- headaches
- rashes
- cystitis
- head lice
- diarrhea
- sore throat
- ring worm
- heartburn
Urgent appointments
To request an urgent or same day appointment (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- phone us on 01543 416633 from 8am
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.
Routine appointments
For non-urgent issues (those which do not require a same day assessment), you will be asked to submit an online request using one of the following methods:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or Patient Access to book an appointment, screening test or vaccination
- use the Accurx service
Requests will be reviewed by a GP, who may then offer you a choice of book ahead appointments in the next few weeks. This can also be used for administrative queries by selecting ‘admin query’ rather than a ‘medical request’.
For appointments with a practice nurse or phlebotomist, patients are requested to phone or contact the practice after 10:30am. This will allow those requiring an urgent on the day appointment to get through more quickly.
Arriving for your appointment
Please allow sufficient time to park your vehicle as the health centre car park can be very busy. Please use the automated check-in screens either side of the reception desk whenever possible, to allow the patient services team to help with patient queries.
Lateness
If you are late for your appointment by ten minutes or more, then you may be asked by the patient services team to rebook your appointment.
Pre-bookable
Nurse appointments can be booked up to 4 weeks in advance. These appointments enable you to book ahead for an annual review, pre-planned appointments such as a vaccination or procedure.
Many of these pre-planned activities are now available to book via a self book link attached to an invitation text.
We encourage all our patients who are able to, to book using this method. Alternatively, you may wish to ring the practice after 10:30am. Other clinicians are also available to book in advance. These include our first contact physio and our mental health practitioner(s).
Enhanced access
These surgeries may be particularly suitable for those who find it difficult to attend during normal surgery hours.
On Mondays and Thursdays (excluding bank holidays), we offer late surgeries (between 6:30pm and 8pm) with the nursing team at Westgate, Greenhill Health Centre. These appointments must be booked in advance.
We also offer some Saturday appointments with a GP or advanced nurse practitioner, at Samuel Johnson community hospital. These appointments must also be booked in advance.
Please note that these appointments are with those doctors available on the day and not necessarily the doctor of your choice.
Advanced nurse practitioners
The advanced nurse practitioner is a highly qualified and experienced nurse who has undertaken extensive training to be able to assess, investigate, diagnose and treat patients together with the ability to prescribe medications.
Phone consultations
Once your online request has been triaged by a GP, they may then offer you a F2F or phone consultation.
We understand that not everything needs to be seen in person and appreciate that a phone consultation may be more practicable for those working or who have mobility issues.
Text reminder service
At The Westgate Practice we offer a text reminder service. This service is used to remind patients of appointments booked and for communicating with patients. Any risk of the messages being intercepted is addressed by minimising the information sent. If you do not want to be included into this service then please contact the practice.
You can also let us know if you need to change your contact details.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- use the GP online system: Patient Access
- phone us on 01543 416633 during opening times
If you need help when we are closed
If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or call 111.
NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Home visits
If possible please try to phone reception before 11am if you require a home visit.
A doctor may decide to call you prior to visiting as your health concern may be able to be dealt with over the phone.
House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.
Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the surgery.