The Elms Medical Centre works on a 'Same Day' booking system for GP appointments.  This is accessed through our Telephone Triage System or Online Consultation Service. 

Triage System:

You can contact the practice for an appointment online via our Digital Front Door online consultation service or via telephone 0151 727 5555. Online consultations are available during full opening hours. 

Morning Triage Times: 8am - 11am.  Please call the surgery or use our online health form via the digital front door. 

Afternoon Triage times: 1.30pm - 3pm (Queries that can be dealt with over the phone or urgent appointments)

*Urgent appointments may be offered to patient's who require them by our triaging Doctors* 

We offer a call back service so patients can either call the surgery and join the queue to speak to a member of our team or you can choose to hold your place in the queue. Your place will be held in the queue until it is your turn, were you will automatically receive a call back when a Care Navigator is available.   

Please note: You will only get ONE call back (so keep your phone close) and is not available if you call from a unknown number.

When you contact the surgery, our Care Navigators will ask you to confirm your identity, the nature of your problem and how long you have had it for. This is to ensure you are directed to the most appropriate service. If you require review by our clinical team, you will be added to the triage list and a clinical team member will contact you that day or offer you an appointment. 

Most calls are returned within the hour, and we ask you to stay close to your phone until the doctor calls you back. If you are in work or need a call at a specific time, please tell the receptionist this so the doctor can try their best to accommodate your request.

Appointments are usually face to face however we can offer telephone or video consultation.  This is at the guidance of the Triaging GP's.

If you have a prescription or admin query, please call the practice after 1:30.

Home Visits 

Home visits are only available to patients who are housebound and unable to come into the surgery. 

Some appointments can be pre-booked with the GP's/ANP's.  A Care Navigator will ask for a brief reason for your request, in order to direct your request to the correct team and provide you with the correct information.

Pre-bookable Appointments

Please see the list of accepted pre-bookable appointments:

• Paid Medicals - Appointment with GP
• Parent & Baby 6 week Check - Appointment with GP
• Minor Surgery & Injection Clinics - Appointment with Named GP's
  (Looked after Appointment Supervisor Team)

Appointment's with the Nursing teams can be booked up to 2-weeks in advance.  If you need to book an appointment or for a 6 month or Annual review of your medical conditions. Most patients will receive a telephone call/text/letter from the Practice advising you off this with a self-booking link. 

• Travel Vaccination - Appointment with Lead Practice Nurse
• Baby Immunisation - Appointment with Practice Nurse
• Cervical Smear - Appointment with Practice Nurse 

We use a text messaging reminder service in place at The Elms to remind patient's of their appointment date/time.  If you would like to be part of this service please ensure we have your current and correct mobile number documented in your records.

Attending your Appointment:

There is a 'self check in screen' in the waiting room to check in for your appointment. Clear step by step on screen instructions will guide you. A care navigator will be happy to give you further assistance. 

Please note: If patients are more than 5 minutes late for an appointment this will automatically DNA your appointment (Did Not Attend) and you will be unable to check-in using the 'self check in screen'. 

It will be at the clinicians discretion whether Patient's are to be seen or not. Please be aware, it may not be possible to see you that day, you will have to contact the surgery again to rearrange your appointment.