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 and uncomplicated urinary tract infections for women aged 16-64 years. They can also assist with conditions such as aches, pains, fever, colds, headaches, rashes, cystitis, head lice, diarrhea, sore throat, ring worm and heartburn.

Our Appointment System Explained

For non-urgent issues (those which do not require a same day assessment), you will now be asked to submit an online request via our website, using the Contact Us online panel on the homepage or the NHS App. Forms 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.

The form is very short and easy to complete. It is being used extensively and successfully by many other practices nationally. Anyone who cannot complete the form, can ring or come to the practice so our staff can support you completing the form online. Please note that there may be a delay doing this at busy times, so completing the form yourself or with help from a family member, will allow us to help you more quickly.

For urgent or on the day assessment, patients will need to ring the practice on 01543 416633 from 8am.  Our patient services team have been instructed by the doctors to request important information about the reason for your call. This is to direct you to the appropriate clinician or service.

For all other appointments, for example with a practice nurse or phlebotomist, patients are requested to ring 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 Surgeries

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 18:30 and 20:00) 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.

• What An ANP Appointment Can Help You With

Telephone Consultations

Once your online request has been triaged by a GP, they may then offer you a F2F or Telephone consultation. We understand that not everything needs to be seen in person and appreciate that a telephone 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 submit a Change of Personal Details form online.

Cancelling your appointment

Please contact the practice if you are unable to attend your appointment giving as much notice as possible. You can cancel your appointment by using our Cancel an Appointment form or by calling the surgery on 01543 416633.