Urgent Appointments
These are available daily for medical emergencies. If you feel you need to see a GP for a medically urgent issue you must phone the surgery either at 8.30am for a morning appointment, or at 1.30pm for an afternoon appointment.
These appointments are limited and reach capacity quickly, so it is important to ring as close to these times as possible. Urgent appointments are initially done by telephone, and if required the GP will book you in for a face-to-face appointment that same day. Once these appointments are fully booked, you might be asked to ring back the next day, or be directed to the NHS 111 service.
Routine Appointments
Any appointment that is non-urgent, such as for general health enquires, monitoring of conditions, reviews etc are categorised as routine. Routine appointments can be booked any time, and we offer both face to face and telephone appointments. We release our routine appointments every 2 weeks (1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month) which enables patients to book themselves in for an appointment within a fortnight.
You can book a routine appointments by telephoning reception, using online services or via the NHS app.
Request an appointment online using E-consult
This is a quick online form that can be found on our practice website which allows patients to submit any concerns or requests to a GP electronically. Once submitted, the econsult is passed to one of our GP who then review it & action it appropriately – this will sometimes be in the form of a telephone call, inviting the patient in for a face to face appointment or arrangement for a routine follow up. E-consults are usually actioned within 48 hours.
Please do not use the Econsult form to request prescriptions, nurse appointments or referrals as this will delay your request.
Cancelling or Changing an Appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- using the GP online system – SystmOnline
- phone us on 01444 458738 or 01444 458739, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm
- reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message
Hub
This is a service where local practices work together to offer extra appointments or additional clinics for patients. Sometimes if we are at capacity, we might be able to book you in for a HUB appointment at another local practice. This service offers routine and pre-bookable appointments with a doctor or nurse, as well as evening and weekend appointments.
You could be offered an appointment at any of the practices within our Primary Care Network (PCN) these are: Cuckfield Medical Practice, the Vale surgery, Ouse Valley, Lindfield Surgery or Northlands Wood Surgery depending on availability. This will be confirmed by the receptionist at the time of booking.
Private Appointments
Some services at the practice are not routinely offered as part of the NHS contract, this means they are chargeable to patients. They include private medicals needed for HGV or Hackney licenses, insurance company requests, firearms paperwork etc. Appointments for private work are offered on Wednesday mornings at the practice. Please contact reception by telephone to arrange an appointment for private work, currently there is a 4-6 week wait for these slots.
Home Visits
If you are housebound and need an appointment, the practice can arrange to do a home visit. A GP will contact you first via telephone to discuss your needs and make an appropriate appointment for you. GPs usually carry out home visits during the lunch period 1-3pm.
Your Appointment
choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:
- by phone
- face to face at the surgery
- on a video call
- by text or email
Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
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 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
Bringing in samples or documentation
If your GP or nurse has asked you to drop in a sample (for example – a urine test, a stool test, a vaginal swab) and they have raised the request form – you can drop the sample to the reception desk at either site. Please drop samples in before 1.30pm, so that our courier can take them to the hospital laboratory in time for them to be analysed.
If the doctor has requested you hand in a sample, please note the following:
- Please ensure ANY sample you hand in clearly displays your name, date of birth, NHS number, & date of sample. Any problem with these identifiers may lead the lab to reject the sample. Reception may be able to provide you with a printed label.
- Please ensure the tops are tightly closed as any leaking samples will be rejected and pose an infection risk.
- Your sample must be accompanied with the sample request form.
Out of Hours
111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It’s fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals.
They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
In case of a life-threatening emergency, please dial 999.