Appointments

Routine appointments

To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:

• use our appointment request form – simply answer 4 questions and PATCHS will get you help quickly. Health Advice, Video Consultations, Fit Notes, Medication and more
• using our GP online system – Patient Access
• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• phone the practice
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm

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.

Urgent appointments

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

• use our appointment request form – simply answer 4 questions and PATCHS will get you help quickly. Health Advice, Video Consultations, Fit Notes, Medication and more
• phone the practice
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm

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.

Evening and Weekend appointments

We recognise that sometimes it is not easy to see us during working hours.

Additional appointments are available in the evening and at weekends. To book one of these appointments you should contact the Practice. However, these appointments will not necessarily be at your usual GP practice, but the health professionals treating you will be able to see your full medical record, with your consent.

Your appointment

How does it work?

The Practice offers a telephone access service which gives patients better access to GP’s. You call the surgery anytime during opening hours.

We try to keep to time but please be patient if someone before you takes longer than planned.

Appointments are normally ten minute slots, so if you have a complicated problem, or more than one problem, please ask for a longer appointment.

Receptionists are asked to collect brief information in in order to help the doctors prioritise phone calls and ensure that patients receive the appropriate level of care.  However if you do not wish to inform the Receptionist what the problem is just say it is a personal matter.

The Healthcare Professional will then call you back as soon as possible, usually within two hours.  Often matters can be dealt with over the phone saving you a visit to the surgery.  If you work and can only receive calls at a certain time please advise the Receptionist of this and the Healthcare Professional will do their best to ring you when it is convenient for you.

If you need to come into the surgery the Healthcare Professional will make you a face to face appointment with the appropriate person.

Sick Children will always be seen as soon as possible if brought to the surgery and this is nearly always quicker than a home visit.

It is Practice Policy to allow patients to choose whichever Doctor they wish to attend in the Practice.

If you wish to be seen at The Angel Medical Practice please tell the Healthcare Professional or Receptionist when booking your appointment so your appointment is booked at the right surgery.

How does this system benefit patients?

We work hard to listen to what you as patients tell us and your feedback is very important to us.  You told us you wanted better access to clinicians and so we got together to work out what we could do better and as a result we redesigned the whole appointment system to improve the speed in which you accessed a doctor.  We continue to monitor the uptake and level of demand and continually adapt out ways of working to ensure these are met.  The significant increase in our patient satisfaction levels and positive response from you has led to lots of other practices being interested in learning more and as a result Dr Tankel was invited to take part in a short film explaining the system and the constant analysis involved in making it work.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

If you are not able to attend your appointment please let us know in time so that the time can be used for someone else. If you are more than 15 minutes late for an appointment you may be asked to re-book.

To cancel your appointment:

• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• using the GP online system – Patient Access
• reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message

If you need help when we are closed

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.

Real life-threatening emergencies

Chest pain (suspected heart attack)

Suspected stroke

Suspected meningitis

Anaphylactic shock (severe allergy)

Heavy bleeding or deep lacerations

Fluctuating levels of consciousness or completely unconscious

Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing with a change in colour

New seizure, fit or uncontrollable shaking

If you need help with your appointment

Tips to make the most of your appointment

One problem per visit

The Doctor may not be able to deal with lots of problems in one visit.

Please make a separate appointment for each family member

 A maximum of three appointments is permitted at any one time, including for yourself. If you require additional appointments for family members these must be arranged at another time.

Talk about the most important thing first

It is best to talk about the most important problem first, even if it is the most embarrassing or worrying, Write everything down before hand if necessary.

Is this your first visit to the Practice?

Please bring a list of medication you are currently taking.

If you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask again

The Doctor can explain what has been said or any words you did not understand.

Ask a friend or family member to come with you

Only if you would like.

Make sure you know what happens next

You may be asked to book a follow up appointment, be referred to a Consultant or require to attend for further tests.  Make sure you know if you need to do anything and write it down if necessary.

If you are late

You may not been seen. Please allow plenty of time when travelling to the Practice, and if driving for parking your car.

Zero tolerance

Please be respectful to other patients and staff when attending the Practice. Disruptive or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

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

Note – Patients should see their Dentist for problems with teeth or gums. If you are not registered with a Dentist and have a dental emergency (pain, swelling, trauma or bleeding) please refer to the NHS guidance How to contact a Dentist.

Additional Information