Appointments

Pharmacy First Advanced Services

NHS in England have launched a service called Pharmacy First which helps you access advice and if appropriate treatment from your Pharmacists for seven common conditions without the need for an appointment or prescription. The service is an extension to the self-care advice and support you've always been able to access from the Pharmacy Team.

Watch our short video to learn more

Locate your local pharmacy

Self-Care

Help and support available from many National and Local Organisations

Visit our Self Help Zone

Ways to book

You can now use the internet to book and cancel appointments or consult with your GP in the following ways:

1. Download the NHS App
2. Use Patchs Online Consultations

Feedback to the practice suggests that at times our appointment system can feel complicated.  We hope that if we outline how the system works it will make using it feel easier.

The tension that exists for us is making sure that every day we have enough spaces to see people that need to be seen on that day. We also need to be able to offer follow up appointments for people whose problems need ongoing review, at the same time ensuring continuity with the clinicians who are looking after them. We also wish to provide the opportunity to book ahead for people to make it easier for those working or with difficulties with transport to the surgery.

The first hour of surgery each morning is reserved for appointments booked in advance. A few other appointments through the day may be booked as well, for the reasons explained above.

As a practice we try to see everyone  as promptly as possible. We are not able to to guarantee that you will get to see the doctor that you would prefer to see, as demand varies so much day to day.

We work as a team and try to manage a system that allows continuity of care but flexibility in recognising that all the clinicians develop areas of increased expertise.  

When you contact us you will try to see you as promptly as possible. If you wish to see a particular doctor you can book in advance but it may be at times there are no appointments for several weeks.  We hope if the problem is straightforward you will consider seeing another doctor.  However, if it is with regard to something that needs the continuity/skill of a particular doctor, then the receptionist can take a message for that doctor to contact you to ensure the appropriate follow up is arranged.

For people working away and for those who find it difficult to get in within normal surgery opening hours we run extended surgeries that can be booked in advance.

Our phones are very busy when the surgery opens at 8:00am.  It is much easier to contact us via Patchs

The telephone lines are busy during morning surgery, so telephone enquiries other than requests for appointments or visits are better made as follows:

• General Enquiries: After 11.00am
• Test Results:  After 2.00pm

Patients also have the option to request a telephone consultation through Patchs.

The practice has a system for receiving and returning telephone calls from patients. At least one clinician in the practice is available during some part of the working day to respond to requests from patients.

If you ring the surgery and wish to speak to a GP or the practice nurse, the receptionist will take a message and pass this on. They will call you back when they are free.

In some instances, the clinician may ask you to make an appointment to come into surgery, because in their opinion a telephone consultation is inappropriate to deal with your problem.

All of our doctors do not work every day, so your message will usually be passed to the duty doctor.

You must give your employer a doctor's 'fit note' (sometimes called a 'sick note') if you've been ill for more than 7 days in a row and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays.

Visit our Sickness Certificates page

Information and advice for travelling abroad.

Visit our Travel Information page

Please telephone before 10:00am. A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.

Home visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.

There is a continuing need for home visits for the house bound. Children with fevers can safely be brought to the surgery.

It should be remembered that each home visit takes approximately 30 minutes which includes a doctor's travelling and visiting time. For each home visit a doctor can see at least three patients in surgery.

Please think carefully before requesting a home visit and use this facility appropriately.

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are housebound or unable to get to the surgery due to ill health.

Evenings/Weekends
With Improved Access you can now see a GP or other healthcare professional during:

• weekday evenings between 6.30pm and 8.00pm (some practices offer early morning appointments)
• Saturdays and Sundays/Bank Holidays

These appointments offered could be:

• At your registered practice
• At another local GP practices
• At another local NHS service - such as a General Practice Hub

Extended Access Hubs
There are now appointments with GPs and nurses available to book outside of the standard GP practice opening hours. Ask at reception for availability.

• Eastcote Health Centre Hub, Abbotsbury Gardens Pinner Middx HA5 1TG. Weekdays 6.30pm to 8pm. Saturday 12-4pm. Sunday 12-4pm.
• Clover HUB at HESA Primary Care Centre, 52 Station Road Hayes UB3 4DD. Weekdays 6.30pm to 8pm. Saturday 4-8pm. Sunday 8-12pm
• Uxbridge Health Centre Hub, George Street Uxbridge Middx. Weekdays 6.30pm to 8pm. Saturday 8-12pm. Sunday 4-8pm.

Who can book these appointments?
Improved Access appointments are available for all patients regardless of where they are located. This means that patients can be seen by a clinical professional 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year.

How can I book an appointment? 
In order to book these appointments, you contact your surgery reception staff as normal.