Appointments
How to Request an Appointment
We offer appointments via telephone, video, face-to-face and e-consultation.
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.
We operate a total triage system and each request will be triaged by one of the team.
Face-to-face appointments, if needed, will be booked with the appropriate Clinician.
You can request an appointment:
- By requesting an appointment using your online account or NHS App. Please complete our online form if you wish to register for online services.
- By calling the practice directly
- Online by visiting the Consulting Room
Urgent Appointments
We operate a triage system for urgent appointment requests. If you are ringing 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. This information will be reviewed by one of the Urgent Care Team. You will then be contacted by one of the Team. At busy times urgent requests will be dealt with based on clinical need and at times you may have to wait longer to be contacted.
You will be contacted by telephone or SMS.
You will be advised of one of the the following outcomes:
- To attend another health care provider
- To visit a pharmacist
- To self care
- Booked an appointment for another day
- Given advice over the telephone
- Asked to come to see one of the team
Extended Access Appointments
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.
Cancelling Appointments
To cancel, you can:
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.