Appointments - what to expect?

If you are offered an appointment, it will be with the most appropriate member of our clinical team. We have a multi-skilled team with different types of clinical staff, and the reception team know which member of the clinical team may have the best skills for your problem. You may be offered:

• A telephone consultation
• A face to face appointment
• Advice on using eConsult (the online consultation service)
• Advice on using the NHS app or Patient Access if you need a repeat prescription or other service that can be done without an appointment.

 As well as offering appointments, our team can advise on local NHS and community services and self-care options that you can access without needing to see your GP first.

• Our team will make sure you see or speak to the right person if you need an appointment.
• Our team might give you details about other services that might help you with your symptoms like the local pharmacist, dentists or appointments at our local Extended Primary Care Service.
• They are also aware of services that you can self-refer to without having to see someone at the practice, such as antenatal care, physio or podiatry. You can find self-referral information on the Nexus website.
• You might be asking about other types of support and the receptionist can give you details about local community services for example organisations that have activities and support for the older person or families.

You do not have to say what your symptoms are if you don’t want to, but if you do it might get you the help and information that you need more easily and quickly. After hearing what services are available to you, you may prefer to still see one of the team. This information is provided for you to make a choice.

The team who answers the telephone are not able to make medical assessments. They are bound to respect your confidentiality in exactly the same way that GPs or other members of our clinical team are.