Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) we are only allowing booking of appointments on the day.
It is easier and quicker to manage appointments and request repeat prescriptions via our online service. Simply log in and select an option.
Prescriptions are processed in the order they are requested. To allow time for necessary checks to be made we need 3 full working days (72hours) to issue prescriptions (please note this does NOT include the time for the pharmacy to dispense your items). We suggest you aim for a period of 1 week between putting in your request and collecting your medication, so please order when you have 7-10 days’ supply left.
NHS App
Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet — including prescriptions and appointments.
Can another Healthcare Professional help?
Do you need to see the GP?
Sometimes the GP is not the most appropriate Healthcare Professional to deal with your ailment. Please see the information on see a Doctor or Healthcare Professional, which might help you decide whether a GP appointment is truly necessary or whether it might be better for you to see a Pharmacist, Optician, Dentist or other Healthcare Professional. You can even self-refer for some services without seeing your GP.
For real life-threatening emergencies such as those below – RING 999
- Chest pain (suspected heart attack)
- Suspected stroke
- Suspected meningitis
- Anaphylactic shock (severe allergy)
- Heavy bleeding or deep lacerations
- Fluctuating levels of consciousness or completely unconscious
- Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing with a change in colour
- New seizure, fit or uncontrollable shaking
For immediately serious conditions such as the following, GO TO Emergency Department (A&E) IMMEDIATELY
- A fever and lethargic (drowsy) child
- A feverish and floppy (unresponsive) infant
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain
- Accidental or intentional overdose of medication
- Trauma (including falls) and possible broken bones or road traffic accident
Appointments at the Practice
Blood Tests
You can book blood tests online, telephoning us or calling in at our reception. Blood test appointments can be made up to 4 weeks in advance. We hold blood test clinics on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Extended Hours (by appointment only)
Extended hours for GP appointments are offered between 18:30 – 19:30 and for Nurse appointments 18:30 – 20:00 on alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
HERE extended hours appointments (previously EPIC)
This pre-bookable NHS service for GP and nurse appointments. Bookings can be arranged via Woodingdean Medical Centre for our patients. Appointments will take place either at: Ardingly Court Surgery, Wellsbourne Health Centre or St Peter’s Medical Centre (location will be confirmed when appointment is booked). The location is rotated on a monthly basis.
Appointment times will be between:
- Monday 18:30 – 20:30
- Tuesday 18:30 – 20:30
- Wednesday 18:30 – 20:30
- Thursday 18:30 – 20:30
- Friday 18:30 – 20:30
- Saturday 08:00 – 14:00
Cancellation or amendments to extended hours appointments must be made via HERE only.
HERE Cancellation line: 07540 745728
HERE email: [email protected]
HERE website: Improving Access
Cancelling & Rescheduling Appointments
If you cannot attend your given appointment please call 01273 307555 to cancel or reschedule. On average 40 people a month fail to turn up for their appointments without informing us. These appointment slots could be put to good use and offered to another patient, allowing the doctors and nurses to reduce any backlog of patients and reduce waiting times. Please think of others when you can no longer attend or need a scheduled appointment.
Routine
Appointments can usually be booked on the same day or up to 4 weeks in advance to see a GP a practice nurse, phlebotomist or a healthcare assistant.
Routine appointments may be made by calling in at, ringing the surgery on 01273 307555 or online at 8:30am for all appointments available for that day. Appointments are allocated on a first come first serve basis. We do have a limited number of pre-bookable appointments for up to four weeks ahead.
Please remember that each general consultation appointment is for one patient only and for ten minutes. If you have more than one issue we will do are best to address patient needs, however, we will need to prioritise with the patient at the time and what may need to be deferred to a later appointment. Please bear in mind we do try our best to run to time bearing in mind there will always be unavoidable emergencies that may require some flexibility. It would be helpful if you would be punctual and could cancel any appointments you no longer require. Please note children under 14 should be accompanied by an adult.
Urgent
If you feel that you have a medical condition cannot wait for a routine appointment then please telephone us and we will arrange for a duty GP to telephone you back to discuss the appropriate next steps.
Telephone consultations
Some matters, such as reviewing on-going problems, discussing repeat prescriptions and renewing medical certificates, can be dealt with on the telephone with a doctor.
The practice nurse can discuss immunisation and contraception queries and other matters related to her work.
Arrangements can be made for you to speak to the doctor or nurse. This will be brief telephone discussion and would take place during the course of that day. Please bear in mind that telephone consultations should not be used for diagnosis and treatment of any new symptoms.
If you wish to speak to a doctor or nurse on the telephone, please explain this to the receptionist. You will be asked to provide some details so that the clinician can prioritise their response. Unless it is urgent, you should normally expect to be called back during that day. Please ring 01273 307555 to request a telephone consultation.
Please ensure that you are by the telephone at the arranged time as the doctor or nurse will only call you back once. If you are expecting a call on your mobile, please ensure it is switched on and you have a signal.
Additional information
If you have a suspected infectious disease
Please inform reception if you suspect an infectious disease, as this will enable us to deal with it appropriately during your visit to protect you, other patients and staff.
Giving Consent for Treatment
You have the right to accept or refuse treatment that is offered to you, and not to be given any physical examination or treatment unless you have given valid consent. If you do not have the capacity to do so, consent must be obtained from a person legally able to act on your behalf, or the treatment must be in your best interests.
Your valid consent (agreement to the course of action) is needed for the treatment that’s offered to you before any physical examinations or treatment can be given. If you haven’t given your consent, you can accept or refuse treatment that’s offered to you.
It’s important to be involved in decisions about your treatment and to be given information to help you choose the right treatment. When making treatment choices, you’ll often discuss the options with your doctor or another healthcare professional.
Self Check-in for Appointments
We now have a screen available on the Reception desk to enable patients to check-in for their appointments. This is very quick and easy to use. If you would like assistance, please ask a member of the reception team.
Use of the self check-in means that you no longer need to stand in a queue or wait for a receptionist when we are busy.
Give it a try! – The self check in is a simple 3 step process – you only need to enter:
Your month of your birth (i.e. March)
The date of your birth (i.e. 16th)
The first letter of your surname (i.e. A)