Urgent appointments
It is advisable to contact us as early as you can on the day of your choice. There are occasions, however, when demand for appointments is high and you may be asked to ring again the following day if all appointments are fully booked.
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- phone us on 0190 972 1206
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.
Routine appointments
The first few appointments of GP surgery sessions can be booked in advance.
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
We will respond to requests within 2 working days.
You can also:
- phone us on 0190 972 1206, please avoid calling between 8am and midday
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or SystmOnline to book an appointment, screening test or vaccination
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.
Musculoskeletal appointment
We have a team of clinical staff who are experts in musculoskeletal health.
If you have a problem that affects your neck, back, joints or muscles and you are not unwell you can now consult with a Musculoskeletal (MSK) practitioner instead of a GP.
You can enjoy faster access to the right help when you need it, usually with an appointment in the same week. Please speak to a receptionist to book a MSK appointment
Our MSK practitioners are highly trained physiotherapists who have the right experience to be able to explain your symptoms, give you the right advice and most times get you going with the right exercises.
Our MSK team can also request certain investigations and refer you into other services for treatment when necessary, and our MSK practitioners are integrated with our surgery team they are supported by our GPs to deliver this new service.
Extended access details, evening and weekend appointments
Local GP Practices have teamed up to improve the way we provide weekend and evening appointments for our patients. From the 1st of October 2022 there will be appointments available Monday to Friday 8am until 8pm and on Saturdays 9am until 5pm.
Creswell Medical will be providing evening appointments from 6:30pm until 8pm on a Tuesday only. DHU will provide weekend cover at Castle Street Medical Centre on Friday evening from 6:30pm until 8pm and Saturdays 9am until 5pm. Please Note these are pre bookable appointments only.
Your appointment
Please help us to help you by booking one person per appointment.
To achieve maximum efficiency and offer appointments as a matter of choice, please book the appointment on the day you wish to be seen.
However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:
- by phone
- face to face at the surgery
- on a video call
Appointments by phone or video call can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel an appointment.
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- use the GP online system: SystmOnline
- phone us on 0190 972 1206 during opening times
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.
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
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling us before 11am on 01909 721 206.
You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.
You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.