Booking GP Appointments

Due to current pressures within general practice, we understand getting to see a GP may be difficult at times. We are continuously reviewing our appointment system and looking at ways in which to improve your access to a GP when you need it most.

From Monday 10 May, we are changing our GP appointment booking system to same day, telephone booking access. This system ensures you will be called by a GP who can provide you with the most appropriate assistance. This may be a prescription, a face to face appointment or directed to an appropriate service.

We are looking at ways to incorporate e-Consultations, online bookings and early morning consultations into our new system and will update this information as soon as possible.

We understand and appreciate that change takes time and we would like to thank you in advance for your patience, help and co-operation. This will help us greatly to ensure that patients who need care from their GP can get this on the same day.

When you contact the surgery to make an appointment, our receptionists may ask you what the problem is.  Please do not feel offended by this; the reception team are trying to navigate you to the most appropriate person to deal with your problem. We understand that on occasions you may not wish to disclose such information which we understand. We are as a practice trying to avoid the unnecessary use of GP appointments and minimise inconvenience for our patients.

Online Access

To register for online services, which will allow you to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions, please download the NHS app or the  myGP app. Further information can be found on the NHS website, NHS app or myGP.

If you wish to have access to your medival record online, once you have registered to book appointments and repeat prescriptions, please complete the  Online Access Application Form and return it to reception.

How to get healthcare advice and assistance when the practice is closed

Out-of-hours services are available when the practice is closed, during the hours of 6.30 pm – 8.00 am.

What to do when the GP practice is closed:

• If you need medical help fast but it’s not an emergency call 111
• If it’s a life-threatening emergency call 999

NHS 111 is the number to call when you need medical help fast but it’s not a life-threatening emergency.

Calls to 111 are FREE from landlines and mobiles

NHS 111 is available 24/7, every day of the year

When to call 111

You should call 111 when:

• you think you need to go to A & E or to another NHS urgent care service
• your GP surgery is closed and you need healthcare advice
• you don’t know who to call for medical help.

When to call 999

Call 999 for life threatening emergencies such as:

• Major accident or trauma
• Severe breathlessness
• Severe bleeding
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe chest pain

During normal practice opening hours, the practice remains your first point of contact for all routine requests.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason, please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Practice policy is if patients fail to attend 3 appointments we will ask you to come into the practice to discuss the reason.

For more information about NHS 111, go to NHS choices at www.nhs.uk

Order a repeat prescription

If you need regular medication on prescription, your doctor will usually organise a repeat prescription for you.

This can then be ordered at set intervals without seeing the doctor in person.  If you are a new patient to the practice, we will need to see you in person first to arrange this service.

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered in a number of ways.  We encourage all patients to order prescriptions online and to nominate a pharmacy of their choice for collection. To apply for online access, please visit our How Do I  – How to Register – Online Services section or contact reception.  Alternatively, you can order prescriptions in person by completing the form at reception and placing in the red box, by post – please supply a stamped addressed envelope or by telephoning our main surgery line between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm weekdays.  Please note that we do need 2 working days to process prescriptions. The prescription is passed to your usual GP for checking and signing.  The GP may ask you to make a routine appointment for review from time to time, and may occasionally not issue the prescription until this has occurred. Once completed, the prescription may be collected from the pharmacy of your choice or our reception desk. Several local pharmacies also provide a collection service. Ask at reception for further details.

Ordering a prescription online

To order a repeat prescription via the online service, please use the link to the left ‘Online Appointments and Prescriptions’.  You will need your log in and password to access this service.

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

The NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme is underway in the UK.  We will contact you by telephone when it is the right time for you to receive the vaccine.  PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT US TO GET AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL WE CONTACT YOU.  Information on the vaccine is available on the NHS UK website.

Covid-19 Vaccine Feedback

Newcastle GP Services are keen to capture feedback from patients who have received their Covid-19 vaccine, to support delivery and identify any potential improvements.  If you have had your vaccine and would like to assist with feedback, please select the blue highlighted link below to complete the survey.

Covid-19 Vaccine Survey

Coronavirus Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Please take a look at the Covid-19 Vaccine, Frequently Asked Questions.

Covid-19 Vaccine Fraud

Criminals are are using the COVID-19 vaccine as a way to target the public.  For further information, please select the Covid-19 Vaccination Fraud link.

HM Government Information

The highlighted links contain HM Government information regarding – Got Symptons? Get Tested and Stay Alert to the Symptoms.

There is a patient recruitment trial available for those persons who have been assessed for COVID-19 who are:  aged 65 or over or aged 50 to 64 with any of the following illnesses – high blood pressure, asthma, weakened immune system, diabetes not treated with insulin, stroke or liver disease.

If you would like to take part in the PRINCIPLE Patient Recruit Trial to help fight against COVID-19, please click on the blue highlighted link above or visit the Principle Trial website. Thank you.

 
Risk to smokers

Emerging evidence shows smokers with COVID-19 are 14 times more likely to develop severe respiratory disease.  Please visit the Smokefree and Today is the Day websites for support to quit smoking.

Bolho – The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Family COVID-19 Helpline

Barnardos has launched a vital new support service for Black, Asian and minority ethnic children, young people and their families impacted by COVID-19.  Boloh is a UK-wide helpline which will focus on issues specifically affecting children (11+), young people and families from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  This is a free telephone helpline and web chat facility where Barnardos specialist advisors will aim to provide on-going support on a complex range of issues including mental health, bereavement, family break-down, neglect, back to school, parenting advice, counselling, family stress, discrimination, barriers to services and more.

Children and Young People

Sea, Hear, Respond England is a partnership that offers rapid support for children and young people affected by the coronavirus crisis.  Please select the highlighted link above for further information.