Appointments

Sheepcot Medical Centre has embraced the NHS model of using General Practitioners alongside allied Healthcare Professionals. We have prescribing Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Paramedics who are able to deal with minor illnesses, who are able to deal with your health complaints. 

We also have clinical pharmacists who support the practice with looking after patients with long-term health conditions and medication reviews. This is alongside our Practice Nurses and Health Care Assistants. 

Sheepcot Medical Centre have embedded these key members in the team, to enable us to provide the best service possible to our patients, in addition to providing a range of  different appointment types and times. 

It is important that everyone uses their GP and local Accident and Emergency Services wisely. 

To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:

• use our appointment request form, Monday to Friday 8am to 6:30pm.  
• phone us on 01923 672451, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm
• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Urgent Appointment

Most common ailments such as colds, sore throat, coughs, sinisutis or an ear infrction can't be treated with antibiotics. 

Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take some pain killers and have a chat with your pharmacust for advice on relieving your symptoms. 

To cancel your appointment:

• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• using the GP online system 
• phone us on 01923 672451, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm
• reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message

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.

Please tell us:

• if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to respond
• if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
• if you need an interpreter
• if you have any other access or communication needs

Using NHS 111 online

If you’re worried about a mental health symptom, answer some questions and we will tell you what to do next.

You can also refer yourself directly to a psychological therapies service (IAPT) without seeing your GP. These services offer therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for common problems including: stress, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias.

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception after 08:00 am before 10:30 am. 

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Lack of transport alone does not merit a visit. This applies for children as well as adults.

Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Medical students who spend time at our Practice are in their final year of study. If you are seen by a medical student there will always be one of our fully qualified GPs or nurses with them.

You may have had a consultation with either a student (accompanied by a fully qualified GP/nurse) or an FY2 doctor in the past and we welcome your feedback on your experience. If you would prefer not to be seen by a medical student or FY2 doctor, please feel free to decline. This will not affect the treatment you receive at the surgery.

If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your doctor please notify the receptionist and she will arrange this for you.

Chaperone

The practice is committed to putting patients at ease whenever possible. A chaperone is available for examinations at either patient or doctor request.

We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.

To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.

Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.

The Practice is using AccuRx to carry out video consultations. The Consultation is not stored or recorded within the AccuRx system. The clinical staff member is required to record observations and outcomes of the consultation directly into patients records in the same way as a face to face or telephone consultation.

Please do not use appointments solely for repeat prescriptions or sickness certificates, unless requested to do so by a doctor.

Advice by telephone can also be requested, which can save you and the doctor a significant amount of time.

We are an accredited associate training practice and firmly believe that having medical students and/or FY2 Doctors, be it for one day or for four months, is proving to be a great success.

They bring a fresh vibe to the Practice and help us keep up-to-date with new developments and innovations within hospital medicine. It is a very rewarding experience to have them with us, especially knowing that some of these trainees may very well go on to specialise in General Practice.

The Foundation Programme

This is a two-year training programme for doctors after leaving medical school. It is designed to provide the trainees with a range of experience prior to choosing their area of speciality.

The FY2 (Foundation Year 2) doctors spend a 4 month period with us where they will see patients by themselves, although our fully qualified GPs will always be available for them to ask any questions that may arise.

November 16 - We currently have a ST 1 and ST 3 GP Registrar vacancy

The surgery opening hours are 08:00am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday. 

Appointments are booked through our online triage booking system, accessible here Monday to Friday.  Triage Form 

Appointment types offered:

• by phone   ( Telephone: 01923 672451)
• face to face at the surgery 
• Accurx Video consultation 

Appointments by phone can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner. One appointment – one patient. Always make sure that staff are aware that you are in the waiting room and please arrive on time for your appointment.

Please note if you are requesting an urgent clinical appointment or review please advise our reception team. 

Choose the Right Service

Many health care problems do not need a doctor or nurse. Other professionals such as pharmacists, opticians and dentists may be better placed to help. It is important that everyone uses their GP and local Accident and Emergency services wisely.

Patient Triage 

The patient Triage Appointment System is in place to ensure that patients who most need an appointment are able to be provided with one. 

You will be asked a few questions, and the triage form will be actioned the same day

 You will be contacted the same day advising next steps in your health journey. 

Accurx Triage System.pdf

Many health care problems do not need a doctor or nurse. 

Other professionals such as pharmacists, opticians and denitists might be placed to help. 

It is important that everyone uses their GP and local accident and Emergency Services wisely.