Appointments

Routine appointments

All GP appointment requests for patients aged 16 and over must be submitted through Rapid Health, our secure online system.

Rapid Health asks a few simple questions about your symptoms or request so our clinical team can prioritise patients safely and provide the right care as quickly as possible.

• Many patients are offered help the same day
• No phone call is needed
• Most forms take 2-3 minutes to complete

You do not need to call at 8:00am to get an appointment.
Requests submitted through Rapid Health are clinically prioritised based on need, not on who contacts us first.

Thinking of calling us?

Please complete a Rapid Health request yourself wherever possible. It is much quicker than calling the practice.

When you telephone to request a GP appointment, our reception team will complete the same Rapid Health form with you over the phone. This takes longer than submitting the form yourself and may involve waiting in the phone queue.

Calling the practice does not bypass Rapid Health.

Help us keep our phone lines free for patients who need extra support by completing the form online if you can.

If you cannot use a digital device, a friend, family member, or carer can complete the form for you. Our reception team will also support patients who are unable to go online.

Please Call Instead ONLY If:

• The patient is under 16
• You need a nurse or healthcare assistant appointment (for example blood tests, wound care, vaccinations, or long-term condition reviews)
• You are requesting a home visit

Urgent Problems

There is no separate urgent appointment system.

Submit a Rapid Health request and your answers will help us determine how quickly you need care.

Depending on your clinical need, you may:

• Be offered an appointment immediately
• Receive advice without needing an appointment
• Be contacted after clinical review
• Be directed to a more appropriate service

Cancelling or Changing Your Appointment

If you no longer need your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer it to another patient.

You can cancel or amend your appointment in one of the following ways:

• Use the link in your Rapid Health confirmation email – this is the quickest and easiest way to cancel or change your appointment. It updates your medical record automatically.

• Phone us on 01983 862000 at any time and leave a voicemail. Please clearly state:

  • Your full name

  • Date of birth

  • The date and time of your appointment

• Reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message, if you received one.

• Use our online form if you do not have your confirmation email:
  Cancel your appointment

Please help us reduce missed appointments by cancelling as soon as you can.

Out of Hours and Emergencies

For urgent medical help when we are closed:

• Call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 online for advice.
• Life-threatening emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

Home Visits

Home visits are for patients who are genuinely housebound.

A clinician will usually phone you first to assess your needs and arrange the most appropriate care.