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

Telephone Triage System:

Morning Triage Times: 8am - 11am (Triage can be closed early due to appointment capacity) 

Afternoon Triage times: 1.30pm - 3pm 

*Urgent appointments can be offered to patient's who require them.  Reception have a list of Urgent medical problems which have been approved by the GP's* 

When you ring for an appointment with a doctor, our reception staff will take your details to pull your medical records and will confirm we have the correct contact number.

They will ask you if you can give some details about the nature of your problem and the time length of your problem. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence. You do not have to tell the receptionist, but it is very helpful to the doctor if you do.

The doctor will call you back to discuss the problem with you. You may want advice, or a prescription or however the Triaging GP may need you to come in and be seen. The doctor will arrange an appointment with you if you need to be seen. Usually this will be the same day.

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.

Home Visit Requests

If you are too ill to attend the surgery and require a home visit please ring before 10.00am, remember to give your name, address, contact telephone number and brief description of your problem. The GP will normally visit you after morning surgery. Please let the receptionist know if you need a visit sooner.

You do not need to call early, this service is available all through the working day. Early morning can be quite busy, so you may find a quicker response later on.

Pre-Bookable Appointments:

Some appointments can be pre-booked with the GP's/ANP's.  Reception 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.

Please see the list of accepted pre-bookable appointments:

• Paid Medicals - Appointment with GP
• Mother & Baby 6 week Check - Appointment with GP
• Minor Surgery & Injection Clinics - Appointment with Named GP's/ANP
  (Looked after Appointment Supervisor Team)
• Travel Vaccination - Appointment with Lead Practice Nurse

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

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 for patients to check themselves in for their booked appointment. Clear step by step on screen instructions will guide you. A receptionist will be happy to give you further information/demonstration.

Please note: If patients are more than 5 minutes late for an appointment, it will be at the clinicians discretion whether they are 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.