Patient Access
Routine Appointments
Surgery times may vary occasionally – but typically appointments are available to be booked during these times:
- All days except Thursday: 9.00 – 11.30am, 3.00pm – 5.30pm
- Thursday: 9.30am – 1.00pm
You can request a routine appointment in the next 7 days by:
- Completing an online form
We will respond within 2 working when we are open. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm - Call Fordhouses Medical Centre – 01902 398111
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm - Call Pendeford Health Centre – 01902 398111
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm - Visiting the surgery and speak with a receptionist
We are open Monday – Friday, 9am to 6pm; Thursdays, 9am to 1pm - Using the NHS App to book a screening test or vaccination
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with. We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.
The system is quite flexible; we have a limited number of appointments each day that can be pre-booked.
If you need an urgent appointment you will be seen as soon as possible on that day, please help the receptionists by telling them whether or not your problem is urgent.
Our practice also offers telephone consultations if you do not need to be examined by the GP; book these like a doctor’s appointment and you will be given an approximate time that the GP will call you for your consultation.
Our receptionists may well ask you to give an indication of why you need to see the doctor so that you can be booked into the most appropriate slot with consideration to the GP special interests.
Online Booking
Patients can book GP appointments online – both morning and evening appointments are available; please enquire at reception for details, as log in details will be required to access this service.
If you already have your login details, click here to book your appointment.
Currently, nurse appointments are not available online; the nurse offers such diverse services that some requirements take much longer than others. Online appointments for nurses may be offered in the future and we’re sorry for not being able to offer this service at the present time.
Urgent Appointments
You can request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) by:
We will respond within 48 hours when we are open. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm.
- Phone
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm
- Visiting the surgery and speak with a receptionist
We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm. When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with. We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.
Home Visits
We believe that most problems are better dealt with at the surgery if at all possible, but we are always pleased to see our patients at home if they are too ill or infirm to visit the surgery.
All we ask is that requests are made before 12 noon if possible. The doctor will make the decision as to whether to visit. Please note that you do not have the right to a visit.
Your Appointment
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 the doctor or nurse can help you sooner.
We usually provide a telephone appointment and then offer a face-to-face appointment if needed. However, if you prefer a face-to-face appointment, please tell us.
If you need help with your appointment, please tell us:
- If there’s a specific doctor, nurse or another 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.
Chaperones
We are committed to maintaining professional standards. For certain examinations during consultations an impartial observer, called a chaperone, will be required.
This impartial observer will be a practice Nurse, Health Care Assistant or chaperone trained receptionist who is familiar with the procedure and be available to reassure and raise any concerns on your behalf. If a chaperone is unavailable at the time of your consultation, then your examination may be re-scheduled for another time.
You are free to decline any examination or chose an alternative examiner or chaperone. You may also request a chaperone for any examination or consultation if one is not offered to you. The GP may not undertake an examination if a chaperone is declined.
The role of a chaperone:
- Maintains professional boundaries during intimate examinations.
- Acknowledges a patient’s vulnerability.
- Provides emotional comfort and reassurance.
- Assists in the examination.
- Assists with undressing patients, if required.
Telephone Advice
If you would like to speak to either a doctor or a nurse, please leave brief details and your contact number with the receptionist and we will ring you back at a convenient time or arrange a telephone consultation.
Click here to see our contact details.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
If you are cancelling an appointment for the same day, please contact your GP Surgery.
If you are cancelling an appointment for another day, please cancel your appointment by:
- Phone
– Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm
- Visiting the surgery and speak with a receptionist
– We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm
When we are closed
NHS 111
If you are very unwell and you cannot wait until the surgery has opened, please call NHS 111 by dialling 111, and they will be able to advise on the care that you need. They can organise emergency services or an ambulance if needed. The NHS 111 is staffed by fully trained advisers supported by experienced nurses, pharmacists, and doctors. The NHS 111 service is available if you require urgent medical help, but it is not a life-threatening situation.
Late Night Pharmacies
As qualified healthcare professionals, community pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.
All pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines. They are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
You can find out your nearest open pharmacy on the NHS.uk website. Once you have searched for the location, you can select ‘only show pharmacies open now’ if you are searching outside of usual business hours.