Routine Appointments

Surgeries are by appointment which may be made in advance online, at the Churchfields Surgery main reception desk on level one or by phoning:

01527 872163

You may consult with any doctor in the practice but it is better for you and the doctor if you try to see the same doctor, especially for ongoing problems.

This means there may be a delay between booking the appointment and seeing the doctor of your choice.

Long Appointments

If you have a lot to discuss with the doctor or nurse, please tell the receptionist who will arrange a longer appointment. This helps to avoid delays to other patients.

Cancellations

If you are unable to attend, please inform us as soon as possible so your appointment may be given to someone else. You can do this online, or by phone.

Urgent Problems

An urgent problem will always be seen on the same day by one of our Duty Doctor Team or Nurse Practitioner.

If there are a large number of urgent patients, or an emergency visit, you may be asked to sit and wait for a little while.

We have two doctors and a nurse practitioner dealing with urgent problems and sometimes need to reallocate patients. For this reason it is our practice not to tell you which doctor you are booking with when requesting a same-day appointment for an urgent problem. Please do tell the receptionist at the time of booking if you are under care from a particular doctor and they will take this in to account if they are able to do so.

If you have severe chest pains or breathing difficulties call 999.

For other emergencies when the practice is open call:

01527 872163 - option 1 

Our receptionists will aim to answer without delay. You may be directed to call 999 or it may be possible for one of the Duty Doctor Team from the practice to speak with you.

Please note that if your enquiry on this extension is not an emergency then you will immediately be asked to redial to select an alternative option and the call ended. It is not safe for other patients if this extension is kept busy.

Online Bookings

We are very pleased that it is now possible to make routine and extended hours appointments available for online booking. You must be registered to use this service.

I need to register to use the service

It is necessary to collect your log-in details from the Churchfields Surgery reception desk in person. You will be asked to show identification - preferably including a photograph such as a passport or photocard driving licence, if you do not have such a document then two household bills in your name at your registered address provide another alternative. Long-term patients known to our reception team may be exempt but please do not be embarrassed to be asked to provide identification if necessary.

Parents of under 16's and carers may register those who depend on them.

Telephone or E-mail Advice

The Doctors and Nurses will give non-urgent advice via e-mail or over the telephone.

If you are registered for our online services then you can send a message this way, alternatively you can email the practice on: churchfieldssurgery@nhs.net or telephone our receptionists who will take some basic details and place the request on our computer system.

Please be aware that enquiries received by these methods will be treated as non-urgent.

Whilst the health professionals will often seek to respond promptly, following their current surgery or visiting commitments, this may not be possible. Urgent enquiries are often best dealt with by booking an appointment for an urgent problem.

Telephone NHS Direct, a 24 hour helpline, on 0845 4647 for advice on minor ailments.

Test results may be obtained over the telephone. Please ring between 2.00 and 5.00pm to speak with a receptionist who will read the health professionals' comments from the screen. Requests for further information could be via the methods above or by booking an appointment, especially where this is the comment offered.

Please bear in mind our confidentiality code which stipulates that we are only able to give a result to the patient themselves or their parent/guardian.

Home Visit Requests

Patients or carers are asked to telephone:

01527 872163

before 10.30am if a home visit is requested that day. Emergency visits only will be arranged after that time.

Requesting a visit will not always mean that a doctor will come and visit. A Doctor or Nurse may telephone you, a district nurse might visit, or you may be invited to attend the surgery where we have better facilities for examination and treatment.

It is rare that anyone under the age of 65 years needs a visit for a new illness. Consequently your care may be delayed if you do not choose to book an appointment at the practice for your urgent problem in the usual way.

Home visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability. Unfortunately we are unable to make exceptions due to financial constraints, as regards hiring a taxi, or lack of transport. Seek favours from neighbours, friends and relatives!