Appointments
Appointments System
Consultations with members of our Health Care Team are by appointment only (including telephone and video) and can be made by telephoning the surgery during opening hours. All calls are recorded.
Some appointments are pre-bookable up to two weeks in advance. We will try and book you with your preferred member of the team wherever possible.
Our reception team are trained to actively signpost and help patients to navigate the health system, to access the most appropriate health professional or service, with the shortest delay. When calling in to request an appointment you will be asked a series of questions about your needs to determine the best outcome. It is understandable that you may have reservations about taking advice from an administrative member of staff, however, these staff have guidelines to work within and you will be directed to a medically trained professional to deal with your problem. We will not refuse an appointment if available, but will be suggesting alternative options for you.
What appointments can I book online?
You are now able to book the following appointments online via the NHS app or the Online services.
SMEAR TEST with a Nurse - It is essential that you have received your invitation letter to book a smear test
B12 INJECTION - It is essential that you have been asked to book a B12 injection by a clinician (a course of B12 injections are usually given 12 weeks apart)
ROUTINE BLOOD TEST - It is essential that you have been asked to book a blood test by a clinician - PLEASE DRINK PLENTY OF WATER BEFOREHAND
NHS HEALTH CHECK - It is essential that you have received an invitation to book this health check
Guide to Video consultations
Bridge Medical Centre Triage
In an effort to deal with high volume of appointment requests we have introduced a triage system to ensure that you can be seen by the most appropriate healthcare professional. If you are requesting a same day appointment please phone 01293 526025 where you will be referred to the Triage Nurse/Doctor.
For general advice on matters of health please ring NHS 111 a 24 hour helpline.
What is Triage?
Triage means sorting. It is a way in which we can deal with our patients who request a same day appointment.
When you call the surgery a member of our reception team will need to ask you for a brief outline of your problem. From this she will be able to either pre-book a non urgent appointment for a later date, or she will take your telephone details so that a doctor or fully qualified triage nurse can call you back. The doctor/nurse will assess your health needs and direct you to the most appropriate health professional such as a doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or even self help. You may not always need to see a doctor, or the doctor may be able to help you over the phone. In the event that you need to be seen then the triage nurse/doctor will allocate one of the ‘on the day appointments’, or if your problem is more routine or on-going you will be offered one of our pre-bookable slots.
Please be assured that the triage nurse/doctor on duty will not be acting as an obstacle—simply as a channel between the patient and the doctor.
Our triage nurse/doctor will attempt to phone you on the given contact number once. If there is no reply your details will be filed. The doctor/triage nurse cannot leave messages on answer phones owing to patient confidentiality issues.
Cancel an Appointment
If you are unable to attend your appointment please let us know, we unfortunately still seem to have a large number of missed appointments by patients.
If you do not attend (DNA), please note you are very likely to receive a telephone call from one of our administrators, they will ring and let you know the Doctor or Nurse or HCA is sitting and waiting for you. Persistent DNA patients will be monitored and reviewed on a quarterly basis, this could result in you being asked to register at another practice.
You can also complete our appointment cancellation notification request form. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance. (excluding weekends and public holidays). You can also text to cancel your appointment.
Sign Up for Online Services
If you wish to sign up for Online Services please visit our Online Services page Online Services (SystmOnline)
Home Visits
Home Visits are for those who are too ill on the day to visit the surgery or for those patients with predetermined medical needs making a home visit a necessity.
Please telephone the surgery before 11.30am to request a home visit.
The administration team will ask you to provide the full name, address, telephone number and some details about the nature of your call. The Duty Doctor may contact you for further assessment prior to the home visit .
Text Reminder Service
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.
Opening Times
Evening and weekend access to GP appointments
We access face to face and remote appointments on weekday evenings and on Saturdays. This service is provided by Bridge Medical Centre working together with Langley Corner Surgery, Southgate Medical Group and Leacroft Medical Practice. The service was developed to meet our patient needs - addressing feedback from recent patient surveys and ensuring that our provision supports local demand.
Appointments can be requested in the normal way by eConsult or by calling the surgery during normal opening hours.