Appointments System
Routine appointments can be made at either surgery with a doctor of your choice and can be made in person or by telephone.
We do reserve urgent slots at both surgeries, but these are for emergencies only. If you require an urgent appointment, you will always be seen as soon as possible on the day of request, and immediately if the condition indicates.
Appointments are usually 10 minutes, but may be longer under certain circumstances, e.g. post-natal, minor surgery or insurance medicals. They are also for one patient only.
Appointments for the practice nurse are made in the same way.
Our receptionists/telephonists are an integral part of our team, it is helpful if you give them a brief outline of what your appointment is for, so they can direct the appointment to the correct clinican and allow enough time for that appointment. For example, blood tests, diabetic review and asthma review.
A ‘booking note’ may be asked for when booking a doctors appointment- this is to help the doctor prepare prior to the appointment.
If you require a chaperone please either let the receptionist know when you book the appointment or let the GP know before your consultation begins.
Home visits
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the correct 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 reception to arrange.
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.
Cancel an Appointment
It is important that you inform the reception staff if you are unable to attend your appointment, this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters maybe removed from the list.
You can also complete our appointment cancellation notification request form. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance. (excluding weekends and public holidays). You can also text to cancel your appointment.
Text Reminder Service
We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.
To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.
Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.
NHS 111 Online
111 online is a fast and convenient alternative to the 111 phone service and provides an option for people who want to access 111 digitally.
Your needs will be assessed and you will be given advice about whether you need:
- Treat yourself at home
- Go to a Primary Care Centre
If you need face to face medical attention you may be asked to attend a Primary Care Centre.
Click here to access NHS 111 online or call 111 to speak to a staff member.
Enhanced Access & Out Of Hours Services
Our practice is part of the Herefordshire GP Federation – Taurus Healthcare. Together, the practices of Herefordshire and Tenbury work to provide 24/7 access to General Practice. This is offered routinely via the Practice or at Improved Access hubs and urgently via 111. We all use the same computer system, so with your permission, it means the professional you speak with can see your whole record and understand your history.
Taurus Healthcare operates eight Enhanced Access Hubs on behalf of Herefordshire General Practice.
These can be found at:
- Station Medical Centre (Hereford)
- Ryelands Surgery (Leominster)
- Ross Community Hospital (Ross-on-Wye)
- Much Birch Surgery
- Kington Medical Practice
- Weobley Surgery
- Ledbury Health Partnership
- Nunwell Surgery (Bromyard)
- Kingstone Surgery
Opening times vary, but you can find full details here: https://www.herefordshiregeneralpractice.co.uk/for-patients/7-day-improved-access.
Please note that these are not walk-in centres and you will need to make an appointment. To do so, please ask our reception staff for a ‘Taurus Enhanced Access Appointment’.
If you need urgent support when surgeries are closed, NHS 111 can provide access to our local team. We provide telephone consultations, appointments at Station Medical Centre in Hereford and home visits, according to patient need.
When We Are Closed
The surgery is closed between 18:30 – 08:00 Monday to Friday and from 18:30 on Friday to 08:00 on Monday at weekends.
During these times Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group are responsible for emergency cover and they have contracted NHS 111 as their out-of-hours provider.
They can be contacted on 111. If you ring the surgery outside of normal hours your call will be diverted to NHS 111 at a cost to you, alternatively if you hang up and dial 111 your call will be free.
When your call is answered by NHS 111, you will be asked a few questions to ascertain details of who you are and where you live, and a brief out line of your complaint. You may receive a home visit or be asked to attend one of the Primary Care Centres in Herefordshire.
Non-urgent advice: Please Note
Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
Pharmacy
Pharmacists can give advise on and treat a range of symptoms. They can support you with such conditions such as earache, sickness, coughs and sticky eyes.
Self Care
This is the best choice to treat minor illness and injuries such as coughs, colds, sore throats and small cuts with over the counter medicines and plenty of rest.