Appointments

• request an appointment online using eConsult. Answer a few short questions and we will get back to you within 2 working days. Please do not use this online form for urgent or emergency requests
• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination
• phone us Monday to Friday during opening hours – Telephone the receptionist and tell her your needs. If she cannot help, she can arrange for you to speak to a Nurse Practitioner or your Doctor, though they may not be immediately available as they may be consulting with a patient. The doctors will not take telephone calls during surgery times, other than in an emergency
• book an appointment using the GP online system – Patient Access
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday during opening hours
• all emergency cases will be seen on the day of contact
• evening or weekend appointments are available on request by calling the surgery.

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with. Depending on clinician availability you will have the choice of a telephone call or a face to face appointment. Please do not be afraid to ask for a face to face if you think this is necessary. 

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you. Our receptionists are bound by confidentiality agreements and are here to help you. We would appreciate your co-operation in this matter.

Please see our consultation guide and same day help for your poorly child which you may find helpful.

Manage your appointments via our online service:

However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:

• by phone
• face to face at the surgery

Appointments by phone, can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner. Please help us by being punctual: if you are late there is no guarantee you will be seen.

Remember: one appointment for one patient. Please do not bring other patients with you and expect the doctor to see more than one patient when only one appointment has been made. Our appointment slots are 10 minutes, if you feel you need longer to discuss your current medical problems please ask for a double appointment slot. We will always try to see our patients within 10 minutes of their booked appointment time.

To cancel your appointment:

• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• using the GP online system
• using our online cancel an appointment form
• phone us
• reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message
• If you are late for an appointment you may be asked to re-book.

Patients who miss their appointments and do not inform the practice incur significant cost to the practice and to other patients in terms of lost appointments.

Middle Chare is committed to providing appointments to meet the needs of patients but we cannot replace appointments lost when a patient fails to attend.

It is our practice policy to monitor all cases of patients missing appointments (Did not Attend – DNA) so that contact can be made to understand the reasons for this failure.

A letter will be sent detailing appointments that were missed and requesting the patient

1. contact us with a reason and
2. take care to avoid a re-occurrence.

If another appointment is missed then a further letter will be sent to ask about the missed appointment and to advise that, if a further appointment is missed then the patient will be at risk of de-registration.

Please help us to help you and other patients by always cancelling an appointment you are unable to attend or no longer need.

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.

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, or by face-to-face
• if you need an interpreter
• if you have any other access or communication needs.

If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. We will phone you first to understand what you need.

To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you phone the practice between 8.00am and 10.30am.

Did you know that your local pharmacy can help you with a lot of minor ailments; and a lot of treatments are covered by the Pharmacies.

Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks