Appointments
Our new 'Telephone First' appointment system was commenced during March 17. This is being offered at a growing number of practices across Northern Ireland in a bid to improve GP access and continuity of care. Patients who would like a GP appointment, first speak with the GP in a telephone consultation. Those who need to be seen are invited in that day. This improves access to your usual GP improving continuity of care, and ensures that any patients with acute or urgent problems are seen in a timely fashion. We continue to monitor the roll-out and listen to any feedback. Please let us know if you have encountered any problems you would like us to take into account as we are continually reviewing this system.
If you would like to speak to a GP, please telephone the practice and speak to a receptionist who will take a few details and book your GP telephone call. The GP will then return your call and either deal with the issue over the phone or book you for a face to face appointment.
Patients are free to choose which doctor they see and to choose which surgery is most convenient for them. We try to ensure that patients obtain an appointment on the same day as requested, however, we would ask patients to telephone or call at the surgery as early in the day as possible to obtain an appointment with the doctor of their choice.
If the surgery is fully booked we will still try to see patients if they consider that an urgent appointment is required.
Please note each appointment is for one person only.
Whilst we endeavor to keep surgeries running to time, inevitably, due to urgent calls for example, you may occasionally have to wait longer than usual. In the event of you being kept waiting longer than 30 minutes for a booked appointment you will be given an explanation.
Telephone Advice
If you wish to speak to the doctor, please contact the practice and ask the receptionist to book a telephone call with a Doctor. They will take specific details and the doctor will return your call during their surgery from approximately 11.30am onwards. Please note in the case of a genuine emergency the doctor will always be able to speak to you; if this is the case please let the receptionist know. In general we do not take calls during surgery as this is a distraction for both the doctor and the patient during a consultation.
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 appointment to someone else.