Appointments
We want to make it easier for you to get an appointment at our surgery and are constantly looking at ways to improve patient access and provide the most effective care to our patients.
To book a routine appointment, please call the surgery at any time during our opening times or use the NHS app. Do plan ahead for non-urgent appointments by booking as far as possible in advance, as your usual doctor may not be available for several days. It should be noted that each of the doctors based at the surgery operates different appointment systems, which in some cases, restrict the number of days in advance that bookings can be made.
- An appointment is for one person only.
- Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent.
- An appointment is usually 10 minutes, so if you feel you may need longer for this, please ask reception for a double appointment.
You can also get help and advice from the practice online & get a response back within 48 hours by completing an online request. Our Team has received training in triaging your online request to be directed to the most appropriate team, service and time frame.
You can also make online requests for administrative requests such as sick notes etc.
In order for our patients to have equal access to GP services, we ask that any patients who feel they may need an appointment sooner, please complete an online request so that this can be triaged and appropriately booked.
Extended Access
In addition to our services, we are working with our neighbouring GP surgeries to offer additional appointments, you may be offered an appointment from one of these other surgeries. Our surgery is part of a small group of surgeries called a Primary Care Network and we work together in a number of ways. Our neighbouring GP surgeries in the Primary Care Network are:
- Riverside Surgery, Erith Health Centre, 50 Pier Road DA8 1RQ
- 2.Crayford Town Surgery, Townhall Square, Crayford, DA1 4FN
To book an appointment for extended access
Contact us in the usual way (by phone or online) to make an appointment. If you need to cancel an enhanced access appointment, please email bhnc.8to8hub@nhs.net.
Alternatively, if you need any support, please contact NHS 111 online
(www.111.nhs.uk) or by calling 111 if you do not have access to online services.
One Appointment One Problem
Appointments are 10 minutes long. We ask that you try to observe the "One Appointment, One Problem" ethos by avoiding saving up your medical problems and bringing a list to the doctor or nurse. We strive to deal with each medical problem to the highest standard and this proves impossible if we are expected to deal with a number of problems in one appointment.
Also your appointment is booked for you only, so please do not expect the doctor to deal with the problem of a relative or a child in addition during your appointment. Please make a separate appointment for your relative/child if they need to see a doctor or nurse as well as yourself.
Urgent Medical Advice
For urgent medical advice that cannot wait for the next available appointment please request a telephone consultation.
Explain to our Reception staff the reason for an emergency briefly and you should be able to speak to our Duty doctor same day who would decide the management plan with you and will review at surgery if required.
Telephone Consultation
If you wish to speak to a doctor or nurse on the telephone you will be asked to leave a brief description of the problem with a contact number and a doctor will return your call.
Cancellations
If you cannot keep your appointment please let us know as early as possible so that this appointment may be given to another patient.
You can make an appointment with the doctor or nurse by phoning the surgery or by calling in person when the reception is open.
GP appointments are also available online.
You have a right to express a preference of practitioner and we will do our best to give you an appointment with the doctor of your choice. Should your preferred doctor not have a free appointment you will be offered an appointment with one of the other GPs in the practice.
Lateness
Any patient who arrives for their appointment more than 10 minutes late may be asked to re-book their appointment. The doctor or nurse is under no obligation to see a patient who arrives late and it is at their discretion.
Practice Nurses
In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly.
Cancellations
If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.