Appointments

How to make an appointment

Appointment Information

More than fifty per cent of our appointments (both face-to-face and telephone) are available to pre-book up to four weeks in advance. The rest of our appointments are released on the day for immediate booking.

We aim to offer four weeks of pre-bookable appointments at any one time.

We want to make sure you are directed to the person who is best able to help you. In order to make this happen, our reception staff will be asking for a brief summary of the problem when you book an appointment or telephone call. This is in no way meant to be intrusive but will help make sure you are seen or contacted by the most appropriate person. For example, if you need an extension of your sick note, you may not need to see a doctor. This will free up appointment slots for doctors and nurses who can then see patients who require clinical review and input.

Please be aware that our receptionists are only able to book the appointments that are available on our system. They are not at fault if at times some of the doctors or certain slots are not available. We understand that this can be frustrating, but please treat them with the same courtesy and respect that they show you.

If you feel you do not need to be examined or your problem can be dealt with on the telephone, please request a telephone call instead of making an appointment in the surgery (unless your GP has specifically requested that you make an face to face appointment to see them).The doctors and the nurses are available for telephone calls in the mornings only. Telephone appointments can be pre-booked.

If you are unable to get an appointment on the day and you feel it is necessary to be reviewed you will be offered a telephone call with an on call GP who will assess your needs and manage them appropriately. (see Urgent Appointments)

All nurse appointments are pre-bookable, as are the gynaecology, cervical smears, antenatal, post natal and child immunisation appointments.

Please note:

  • 10 minutes is allocated per consultation.
  • Longer appointments – If you are aware that you may need more than the normal 10 minutes allowed in an appointment slot, please inform reception at the time of booking and they will allocate a longer appointment time. For example booking a company/insurance/taxi medical, a gynaecology appointment that might require examination, a cervical smear etc
  • Please try to be on time for your appointments. Being late for an appointment causes delays to those who have appointments after you.
  • We strive to keep to time, but unfortunately due to medical emergencies, complex cases and other factors we do occasionally run late.
  • Please remember that each appointment time is for one person only, if other members of your family also need to be seen, please book an appointment slot for each of them.
  • If you are unable to keep your appointment please cancel as soon as possible to allow other patients to use the appointment.

Extended Access

Through our partnership with Brighton and Hove Federation, patients now have access to additional appointments from 18.30 to 20.00 weekdays and 09.00 to 17.00 Saturday and Sunday. These include remote and face to face GP appointments as well as appointments with a nurse, pharmacist or health care assistant. Specialist clinics are also being planned (e.g. menopause).

Please refer to the Federations website https://www.brightonandhovefed.co.uk/enhanced-access for updates. Access to these clinics is by contacting the surgery in the normal way. These appointments might be held at a different location to the surgery and are subject to availability.

Urgent Appointments

If you are unable to get an urgent on the day appointment we operate a Duty Doctor Triage system. There is always a designated duty doctor who is responsible for resolving all urgent medical problems.

1. Call the surgery on 01273 559601

If you feel you need urgent medical advice or treatment, and that this cannot wait for the next bookable appointment then please telephone the surgery. The receptionist will ask you for a brief explanation of the problem; this is so the doctor has prior knowledge of your situation and can also prioritise the most urgent calls first.

2. The Duty Doctor will call you back

The duty doctor will call you back and discuss the problem with you. If the matter cannot be resolved over the phone they will give you either an appropriate appointment with a member of the team or a management plan.

Please try to avoid coming down to the surgery without an appointment.

Interpreting Service

If you or someone you know does not speak enough English to give a full history they may benefit from using an interpreter. This will help both the patient and the doctor.

Please book an interpreter to accompany you at your appointment. Please ask at reception.