Each doctors’ appointment is between 10 and 15 minutes long. In these appointments the doctor only has time to address one issue.
If you have more than one issue, please make another appointment or a double appointment.
Urgent appointments
If you feel you require a doctor more urgently than the first available appointment, then the practice nurse will first assess your symptoms by telephone to make sure that you receive the most clinically appropriate attention.
To request an urgent appointment for today during opening times:
- phone us on 01298 24105
The receptionists are there to help you but please be patient if asked to wait as they are often very busy.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
- phone us on 01298 24105
- in person
Get medical advice from a doctor or nurse
To ask a non-urgent medical question:
- fill out an ask a doctor a question form
- fill out an ask a nurse a question form
We will respond within 2 working days during opening times.
Telephone consultations
There are a number of telephone consultation slots available with each doctor, please ask reception team in person or call us on 01298 24105.
Extended access
Practices in the High Peak are providing standard GP and other clinician appointments from 6:30pm to 8pm through out the week (on a rota basis) and at advanced nurse practitioner appointments over the weekend at the Buxton Cottage Hospital and New Mills walk in centre.
These appointments are aimed at patients who work outside of the area and have difficulty accessing services within the normal working hours. For full details on extended access, please visit the North Derbyshire GP Federation website.
To access these appointments please contact your own GP practice and request a late/extended hours appointment. If one is not available at the practice on the day you require, the receptionist can look at the other practices’ appointments. Our evening session is every Tuesday.
Demand
If we have reached safe capacity for the day and we are full, there are other options for getting the help that you need. Please note all contacts outside of our working hours 8am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday will be responded to on the next working day.
Like all other GP surgeries, we are not an unlimited service. At a time of unprecedented pressure and workload, and with a shrinking workforce, we must follow recognised guidance on maintaining safe working practices so that we do not put the safety of our patients or the welfare of our staff at risk.
Please note that recent contract changes do not, contrary to popular belief, automatically entitle a patient to an appointment at first point of contact with the surgery. The information provided below forms part of the processes by which the practice fulfils its contractual obligations to ensure that an appropriate response is sent to any patient that makes contact with us.
You may be referred to this section of the website as part of our processes, but you are also free to use any of the information provided below at any time:
If the above does not answer your question, ask the reception a question.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let us know in good time so that someone else can use the appointment time.
To cancel your appointment:
- use the cancel an appointment form
- reply cancel to your text reminder
- phone us on 01298 24105 during opening times
If you are more than 10 minutes late, we will be unable to see you for that appointment and you will be asked to rebook at another time.
If you need help when we are closed
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.
If you need help with your appointment
Please tell us:
- if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone or face-to-face.
- if you need an interpreter
- if you have any other access or communication needs
Home visits
House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability. If possible please try to contact reception before 10am if you require a home visit.
A doctor or nurse may phone you back, as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or arrange a hospital attendance.
Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the practice.
Please let us know if you feel an urgent visit is necessary by calling the practice on 01298 24105.