Appointments FAQ

The way we access GP services has changed. Below are some frequently asked questions that may help you understand these changes:

How do I get an appointment?

Please follow our guidelines within our Appointments page to choose the right service. An appointment may not be necessary.

What if I do not have access to a smartphone or web camera?

While technology has evolved and supports us all in many different ways in our day-to-day lives, we appreciate not everyone will have access to a smartphone or web camera for a video consultation.

We can still talk to you on your mobile phone or landline.

Will I need to wear a face mask if I come into my practice for an appointment?

To help limit the spread of the virus, we are asking for all patients aged 12 and over to wear a face covering when they come the practice. This doesn’t have to be a face mask, but a cloth covering which covers your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably. It can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head.

You can find additional information by visiting the government's website

How do I cancel or move a booked appointment?

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please give us as much notice as possible so that your appointment can be offered to someone else.  

If you are cancelling please telephone us on 01892 515142 as soon as possible, and at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. This will enable us to offer your appointment to someone else.

Alternatively you can cancel your appointment online using Patient Access or The NHS App if you are signed up to the service.

Visit our Cancel Appointment page for further information.

What if I am not registered with a GP practice?

You can call any GP surgery to get emergency treatment for up to 14 days if you are not registered with a GP or are away from home.

If your treatment will last longer than 14 days, you’ll have to register as a temporary or permanent resident. You can find more information about this on the NHS website.

If you are a resident in the area and need to register with a practice, then it’s best to look at practices where your home falls within its geographical boundaries. You can check a GP practice boundary by visiting their website.

Once you have selected which practice you would like to register with, make contact with them either by calling or visiting their website.

You will be asked to fill out a registration form and once it is completed and returned, NHS England will transfer your medical records to your new practice. They will also write to you to confirm your registration with your chosen practice.

What do I do if I think I have coronavirus (Covid-19)?

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
  • new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms then DO NOT visit your GP practice. You should visit NHS 111 or call NHS 111 if you cannot get help online.