Appointments

Important

Both sites have the same phone number – 0191 3700 500

When calling us, please be aware that you may speak to a member of staff from either of our sites.

Urgent appointments

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):

  • phone us on 0191 3700500, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Routine appointments

To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:

  • use our appointment request form
  • phone us on 0191 3700500, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm
  • use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

To cancel your appointment:

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 you are poorly and think you need an urgent same day visit, please call us before 11.30am on the day (where possible). Requests for home visits will always be assessed by the GP.

If you think an immediate home visit is required, please tell the Receptionist. In cases of major injury or critical condition, it may be more appropriate to go directly to your local Hospital Accident & Emergency Department. If an Ambulance is required, dial 999.

Our GP Practice is keen to ensure that we make the best use of our clinical staff, allowing them to provide the most appropriate care to those most in need of it. For the vast majority of patients, attending an appointment at the Practice is the best option for them and for the Practice staff. 

Further information on Home Visits

Appointment help, advice and information

Hospital Appointments – Book, Cancel or Change

Contact the hospital directly

You can book, cancel or change a hospital appointment by contacting a hospital directly by phone or through their website. 

Please do not contact the Practice regarding your arranged hospital appointments.

Use NHS e-Referral online 

You can also use the ‘NHS e-Referral’ system, to book cancel or change your appointment. It’s fast, convenient and secure.

If you need help with your appointment

Please tell us:

  • if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to respond
  • if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
  • if you need an interpreter
  • if you have any other access or communication needs

Note – Patients should see their Dentist for problems with teeth or gums. If you are not registered with a Dentist and have a dental emergency (pain, swelling, trauma or bleeding) please refer to the NHS guidance: How to contact a Dentist.

Make the most of your appointment

  • One problem per visit – The Doctor may not be able to deal with lots of problems in one visit.
  • Please make a separate appointment for each family member – A maximum of three appointments is permitted at any one time, including for yourself. If you require additional appointments for family members these must be arranged at another time.
  • Talk about the most important thing first – It is best to talk about the most important problem first, even if it is the most embarrassing or worrying, Write everything down before hand if necessary.
  • Is this your first visit to the Practice?– Please bring a list of medication you are currently taking.
  • If you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask again – The Doctor can explain what has been said or any words you did not understand.
  • Ask a friend or family member to come with you – only if you would like.
  • Make sure you know what happens next – You may be asked to book a follow up appointment, be referred to a Consultant or require to attend for further tests.  Make sure you know if you need to do anything and write it down if necessary.
  • If you are late –  you may not been seen. Please allow plenty of time when travelling to the Practice, and if driving for parking your car.
  • Zero tolerance – Please be respectful to other patients and staff when attending the Practice. Disruptive or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

Your appointment

However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:

  • by phone
  • face to face at the surgery
  • on a video call
  • by text or email

Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.

Can I bring someone with me?

We are generally very happy for patients to bring with them a carer, relative or even a friend. This often helps, particularly when they know you well and it allows them to tell us any observations they would make about you, which can help us in undertaking our assessment. Ultimately this will lead us more quickly to make an accurate diagnosis and therefore help you more.

Also, having someone with you means they can prompt you to ask questions that you may have forgotten, and after the appointment they can help in reminding you what was discussed.

Occasionally we might ask for them to leave but this would be unusual.

If you require interpretation services please contact us in advance of you appointment and we will arrange this.