We reserve a fixed number of GP and Nurse Practitioner appointments each day for emergency cases.

We define emergency cases as “a situation or occurrence that demands immediate action”.  An emergency situation or occurrence will have arisen within the last 24 to 48hrs. 

On-going problems or chronic problems are not deemed as an emergency, unless the problem has worsened within the last 24 to 48 hours and requires immediate action. Please also note the alternative sources of emergency care – pharmacy first, NHS inform, Minor Injuries and A+E.

Running out of pain medication or anti-depressant medication, does not merit an emergency appointment.  Patients are encouraged to make their next prescription appointment in good time to avoid running out of medication.

Emergency appointments must be booked in sequential time order.  If a patient seeks immediate medical attention in the form of an emergency appointment, we expect the patient to attend the same morning or afternoon that the patient has contacted the Practice.

Reception staff have been instructed by the Practice to ask patients who request an emergency appointment for a brief description of the problem, this enables reception staff to appoint patients to the most appropriate health care professional, improving access to our services and avoiding any unnecessary delays.

Please remember, due to the very nature of an emergency surgery, sometimes delays can happen, you will be given an explanation for the cause for delay.

Home Visits

Home visits are only for patients who are housebound (unable to leave the house for any reason).  Requests for home visits should be made before 10.30am. Home visits take longer to perform than surgery appointments, are less safe (as the doctor hasn’t got access to your electronic record) and remove doctors from the surgery. We will contact patients before visiting and if we have reached capacity the GP will advise from the following options:-

• Call an ambulance or attend A&E
• Ring the following day to request a visit
• Be managed remotely by a GP
• Given an appointment to attend with the duty doctor