Appointments

Urgent appointments

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.

Please be aware that our telephone lines can be exceptionally busy at 8:00am. We are a group practice and although we will always endeavor to book an appointment with your preferred doctor this may not always be possible.

Routine appointments

To request a routine appointment:

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.

 

Your appointment

However you choose to contact us, the clinician will triage your request and decide the best form of contact, this could be via;

  • Telephone call
  • Face to face appointment 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.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

To cancel your appointment:

Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.

You should only contact the surgery outside normal hours in an emergency, that is for a serious illness. General enquiries and minor illness should wait until the next working day.

NHS 111

Get help for your symptoms online; https://111.nhs.uk/

In the case of urgent need when the practice is closed you can call NHS 111 (dial 111 from any UK telephone). Your needs will be assessed and advice offered or arrangements will be made for you to see a doctor at one of the out of hours services.

In line with the latest government advice you may be asked to attend an emergency centre at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital or Sheppey Community Hospital.

https://www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news/new-free-app-help-patients-wait-less-urgent-nhs-care

Minor Injuries Department

The nearest Minor Injuries Department is at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital, where they care for Minor Injuries only and the opening hours are 9.00 am to 9.00 pm daily.

Accident & Emergency Department

Any person with a serious illness or pain should go to the Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, where there is 24-hour cover, or you should dial 999 for an ambulance.

Please do not ask to see a doctor out of hours unless you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.

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

Home visits

Home visits are undertaken if, in the doctors’ opinion, you are too ill to attend the surgery. Please telephone our appointment line on 01795 477764 before 10.30 a.m.

Please remember that home visits can take a long time and facilities for examination are far better at the surgery.

If you have a temperature or rash, coming to the surgery will do no harm and not endanger others, but please inform the receptionist on arrival.

Transport difficulties or social problems are not reasons for requesting a home visit.

Please note, if you are a patient living outside the practice boundary you may not be entitled to a home visit.

Date published: 8th October, 2014
Date last updated: 5th February, 2024