Appointments

Before booking an appointment consider if it is right for your condition

Many minor illnesses can be treated by self care or by consulting a pharmacist at your local Chemist. Many common viral ailments cannot be treated by antibiotics and will run their natural course but releiving the symptoms by use of over the counter medication will help.

You may be advised that a referral to the "Minor Ailment Scheme" at your local pharmacist is the best pathway of care for your problem. Click here for more information

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

• phone us on 01257 442570, Monday to Friday from 8am

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with. Reception will ask you questions to ascertain the right person to help you. Please see below our Guide to Care Navigation to learn more. 

Click here for our surgery times

To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:

• use our online system via the link at the top of this page 
• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• phone us on 01257 442570, Monday to Friday from 8am
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am

Reception will ask you questions to ascertain the right person to help you. Please see below our Guide to Care Navigation to learn more.

Our practice is part of a Primary Care Network (PCN).  PCN’s are GP Practices working with other Practices in their local area. By working together, we can deliver more local services for our patients. 

Patients registered at our practice are able to access evening and weekend appointments via our new Enhanced Access Service. 

These are available in limited numbers between 6:30pm and 8pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays between 9am and 5pm at Withnell Health Centre. Please call reception to book an appointment, we offer both GP appointment and Practice Nurse appointments.

None urgent home visits are carried out usually at the end of morning surgery, however no exact time can be given. They are intended ONLY for those too ill or immobile to attend the surgery in any other way. They are not intended for people who simply have no transport.

Several patients can be seen in the time it takes for a home visit, so please think carefully before requesting one.

Please request before 10:00.

You can 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.

Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen.

If you are less than 15 minutes late you will still be seen although there may be a short delay. If you are more than 15 minutes late the receptionist will check if the clinician can still see you if your appointment is non-urgent and they are unable to see you the receptionist can reschedule the appointment for you. If you know you are going to be late due to traffic etc please let reception know so that they can inform the clinician.

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.

Appointments with the doctors are 10 minutes only.

If you require more than one member of your family to be seen please book a separate appointment.

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else. Failure to attend repeatedly for appointments without reasonable explanation will not be tolerated.

To cancel your appointment:

• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• using the GP online system via the link at the top of this page
• phone us on 01257 442570, Monday to Friday from 8am
• reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message

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.

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