Making an Appointment
Monday to Friday:
8.30am - 1pm
2pm - 6pm
Lunchtime Closed
1pm to 2pm
Extended Hours
Monday - Thursday:
7am - 8am and/or 6.30pm - 7.30pm
All appointments are pre-bookable. If you do not need a same day appointment please ring between 9.30am to 5.30pm. We have a duty team to offer telephone advice and treatment after triage to patients who need to see a doctor on the same day.
* Please note that you are unable to contact the surgery by telephone during extended hours.
Direct Telephone Nos
Doctor's Appointments
01237 426300
Nurses' Appointments
01237 426320
Health Visitors
01237 426325
Community Midwives
01237 476363
District Nurses
01237 426330
How to see your Dr or Nurse
The doctors in this Practice believe in personal list as it enables continuity of care.
Patients will be encouraged to see their own doctors whenever possible.
The Practice offers Advance Access appointment booking system. The practice standard is to offer patients a consultation with the appropriate health professional within 24 or 48 hours. The Midwives take bookings 2 months in advance because of the nature of the care they provide.
The doctors offer both face-to-face and telephone consultations to patients.
Receptionists should always offer Patients the next available appointment with their own GP. If it is not acceptable to the patient then they will be offered the next available appointment with another GP. If the patients’ own GP is away the patient will be offered an appointment with another GP.
Patients may book routine or follow-up appointments 3 weeks in advance if they wish but the number of these appointments is limited. They are normally at the beginning of morning surgery and at the end of afternoon surgery. These appointments are best used by patients who are unable to come to the surgery during normal working hours.
We do not encourage patients to book their appointments too far ahead as statistics show that a lot of appointments have been wasted when the patients fail to turn up for their booked appointments.
Some conditions are self-limiting, such as viral infections which will resolve themselves over a few days. In such occasions it is possible to wait and see what happens to the symptoms before coming to see the doctor in the first instance.
If Receptionists are unable to offer an surgery appointment they will offer the patient a telephone call from their doctor, or an alternative GP of their own is away. Patients may ask to see the Practice Nurses, District Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors direct or other Primary Health Care Team members if they think it more appropriate to do so. If they need health information and advice we advise them to contact NHS Direct, available 24 hours a day on 0845 4647. Local Pharmacists will also advise on minor illnesses and medication.
Telephone Consultation
The Doctors offer telephone consultations. Please let the Receptionist have your name, telephone number and message. The Doctor will call you as soon as practicable.
Home Visit
If you think you need a home visit please telephone between 8.30am-10.00am and give an idea of the problem to enable the doctor to assess your need.
When the Medical Centre is closed
In an emergency please dial 999 and request an ambulance
There is always a Doctor available outside surgery hours i.e. from 1pm-2pm and 6pm-8.30am the following morning, and at weekends and bank holidays.
If you require medical advice telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
If you need to see a doctor or nurse when the medical Centre is closed telephone Devon Doctors On Call on 0845 6710 270. You will be put through to the Doctor on-call. Speaking with the doctor may be enough. If not, you may be asked to attend the Out of Hours Treatment Centre. This is based at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple. If you need a home visit on medical grounds this will be arranged.
Repeat Prescriptions
Patients established on long-term medication may not need to see their Doctor every time a repeat prescription is due. Your Doctor will decide when it is appropriate for you to use this service and how often your case needs to be reviewed.
The printed repeat prescription has a tear-off list of your medicines which should be used to re-order next time. We need at least 2 working days notice to produce a prescription for collection. Some medications might not be available immediately and your pharmacist would need extra time to order them for you.
You can order and collect your repeat prescriptions from the Medical Centre, certain chemists or by post. Please mark clearly where you want it collected. Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you want it posted to you.
Repeat prescriptions are not available over the telephone due to safety reasons.
Carers
If you are a carer please let a member of the practice team know. This will enable us to keep an accurate record about you and refer you to any appropriate help if needed.
