We offer appointments via phone, video and face to face.
Urgent appointments
We operate a triage system for urgent appointment requests, to request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- phone us on Potton Surgery 01767 260340 or Gamlingay Surgery 01767 260340
If you are calling on behalf of someone, we will need prior consent from the patient before discussing any medical information. We will also need to speak to the patient directly.
The receptionist will answer your call and ask you some important questions about your problem and symptoms.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
- phone us on Potton Surgery 01767 260340 or Gamlingay Surgery 01767 260340
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or SystmOnline to book an appointment, screening test or vaccination
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.
Extended access
Appointments with a GP or practice nurse are now available in the evenings and weekends for patients registered at this practice. These are called ‘extended access’ appointments.
We are working with other practices in Bedfordshire to provide these additional appointments to increase access to healthcare at times that are convenient to patients.
When you call to make an appointment we may offer you an extended access appointment. This appointment could be held at another local practice and with a GP or practice nurse from another practice.
Our reception team will confirm all of the details at the time of booking and if you are registered to receive text message alerts, you will receive a text message to confirm the date, time and location of your appointment.
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 you get help sooner.
Please make sure we have the correct contact details on your record. We also use SMS via your clinical record. Please do not opt out of receiving SMS messaging if you wish receive appointment reminders and important messages from the practice.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- use the GP online system: SystmOnline
- use the cancel an appointment form
- phone us on Potton Surgery 01767 260340 or Gamlingay Surgery 01767 260340 during opening times
Appointments at the practice are in great demand and whilst failing to attend one appointment may be an oversight on your part, it does nothing to help us to meet the ever-increasing demand for appointments.
On average we have 200 ‘failed to attend’ appointments per month, which equates to two doctor’s sessions for a whole week. We simply do not have the resources to accommodate so many missed appointments.
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.
The patient will either be given telephone advice, a face to face appointment or a home visit.
If a patient requires a face to face appointment, they will be allocated an appointment at one of the locations listed below:
- Biggleswade Hospital, Potton Road, Biggleswade
- Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford
- Town Centre GP Surgery, Luton
- Leighton Buzzard Health Centre
- Priory Gardens Surgery, Dunstable
- Highlands, Flitwick
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
If you need help with your appointment
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
Home visits
Home Visits are for patients whose medical condition prevents them from attending the surgery. Please let us know before 11am if you need a home visit. You will usually speak to a doctor to assess the situation first.
Please remember that several patients can be seen at the surgery in the time it takes to make a visit and facilities to examine and assess a patient at the surgery are far better than at home.