We are trialling a new AI-enabled ambient scribing tool
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HOW CAN WE HELP?
We prioritise care for our vulnerable patients, including:
Elderly patients
Children under the age of 1
Individuals with significant or urgent health needs
If you or someone you’re caring for falls into one of these categories, you can request an urgent appointment by:
Phone: Call the surgery at 08:00 AM to request a same-day urgent appointment
In-person: Visit the surgery when we open at 08:00 AM to check for urgent availability
Out-of-hours referral: If no same-day appointments are available, we may be able to refer you to an out-of-hours service
Important: If we are fully booked and unable to offer a same-day appointment despite your circumstances, we strongly recommend calling NHS 111 or visiting A&E, especially in emergency situations. Please note that we are not an emergency service.
Appointment wait times may vary depending on the season and current demand. While we aim to offer appointments within 10 days, this is not always guaranteed.
We are continuously working to expand our appointment capacity and reduce waiting times to better serve our patients.
Pharmacy First is a service that allows to refer patients with minor health concerns to their local pharmacy for a consultation within 24hrs.
Pharmacy First allows pharmacists to treat and prescribe medications for any minor illnesses, including earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. This service aims to provide quicker and more convenient access to healthcare for these conditions.
Here's a breakdown of the conditions and age ranges covered:
Earache: Ages 1 to 17.
Impetigo: Ages 1 year and over.
Infected insect bites: Ages 1 year and over.
Shingles: Ages 18 and over.
Sinusitis: Ages 12 and over.
Sore throat: Ages 5 and over.
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs): Women ages 16 to 64
You may be referred via our Digital Team or referred by our Admin Reception team.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Private Medicals refer to non-NHS services such as:
Letters for third parties (e.g. Freedom Pass, Blue Badge, or PIP applications)
Health insurance claim forms
DVLA medical forms
Other similar documentation requests
These services fall outside the scope of NHS-funded care and therefore incur a fee. All charges are clearly listed for each request type.
While the NHS covers most healthcare needs free of charge, certain services - like Private Medicals are not included. GPs are contracted to provide core NHS services, and any non-NHS work must be completed in addition to their NHS duties.
To reflect the additional time and administration involved, a fee is required to cover the GP’s time and resources.
Private Medicals can take up to 30 working days to complete, in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 guidelines.
We aim to process all requests within 30 working days from the date payment is received.
You can submit your request online via our website:
👉 Submit a Private Medical Request
Once submitted, your form will be securely received by our practice. Our medical secretary will contact you within 3 working days.
Please note: Incomplete or incorrectly filled forms cannot be processed. Please ensure all sections are completed accurately before submitting.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Online: via the NHS App
In-person: If you are having issues with the NHS app then you can visit our surgery and request it through our reception, however we will remind you that all repeats must be requested through the app and will assist you if you are having any problems or do not have a smartphone.
Through your pharmacy (if you have a nomination pharmacy)
Please request medications at least 72 hours in advance to allow the pharmacist sufficient time for review, coordination, and any necessary follow-up. This ensures timely and accurate dispensing of your medications.
Requested Too Early: Medication requests made before the 72-hour timeframe may be rejected to ensure prescriptions remain in sync and safe.
Not Issued in the Last 6 Months: A GP appointment is required for a medication review before it can be re-prescribed.
Existing Repeat Prescription: A batch of your repeat medications may still be available at your nominated pharmacy.
Medication Discontinued: The GP or hospital may have stopped the medication. Please book an appointment online for further information.
You can request medications from your repeat list via the NHS app. However, acute prescriptions, controlled drugs, and repeat dispensing medications cannot be requested, as they require a thorough review before being prescribed. For medications not on your repeat list, please complete the online request form.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
You can request a sick note if you’ve been off work for more than 7 consecutive days. To do this, please complete our online form available on our website through ‘book an appointment’’
👉 Request a Sick Note
Please note:
If your absence exceeds 7 days and you need a sick note, you may need to be booked in for an appointment with one of our clinicians before the note can be issued.
Once your online form has been submitted, our digital team will triage your request.
We aim to issue the sick note within 48 hours of receiving your completed form.
If your current sick note needs to be extended, please complete the same online sick note request form.
We aim to process and issue extensions within 48 hours.
Important:
If your requested extension is for more than 3 months, you may need to book an appointment with a GP before the note can be extended, but the Digital triage team will let you know via a text message or phone call.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Test results are usually reviewed by a doctor within 3 to 7 working days, depending on the type of test and urgency. Some specialist tests may take longer. If there's anything urgent, we will contact you as soon as possible.
If you haven't heard from us, it often means your results were normal or didn’t require follow-up. We do not routinely call for normal results. However, you are welcome to contact the surgery if you'd like to confirm or have questions.
Yes, you can. Please contact the surgery reception to book a telephone or in-person appointment to discuss your results. You may also be able to view certain results via the NHS App or your online patient access account, if registered.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
We offer a wide range of NHS vaccinations, including:
Childhood immunisations
Flu vaccines (including eligible adults and children)
Travel vaccinations (some may incur a fee)
Shingles, pneumonia, and whooping cough vaccines (for eligible groups)
Yes, most vaccinations require an appointment. Please contact reception to book. For seasonal vaccinations like the flu jab, we may offer special clinic days—ask our team for dates.
Many vaccinations are free on the NHS if you fall into certain age or risk groups (e.g., over 65, pregnant, long-term health conditions). Our team can check your eligibility for you.
Yes, we provide advice and certain travel vaccinations. Please contact us well in advance—ideally at least 6 to 8 weeks before travel. Some travel vaccines are not covered by the NHS and may carry a fee.
You can view your vaccination history on the NHS App or request a printed copy from reception. It’s important to keep your records up to date, especially for travel or school requirements.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Clinical scope of practice refers to the specific types of care and services that different healthcare professionals at our surgery are trained and qualified to provide.
At our surgery, we have a multidisciplinary team that may include:
GPs (General Practitioners) – Diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, manage complex care, prescribe medication, and refer to specialists.
Nurse Practitioners / Advanced Clinical Practitioners – Highly trained professionals who can assess, diagnose, prescribe, and treat many conditions independently.
Practice Nurses – Provide services such as immunisations, health checks, wound care, cervical screening, and long-term condition monitoring (e.g., asthma, diabetes).
Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) – Support with tasks like blood tests, blood pressure checks, ECGs, and general health screenings.
Pharmacists – Help with medication reviews, managing long-term conditions, and minor ailments.
Physician associate - Medically trained healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a GP to assess, diagnose, and manage a wide range of health conditions, but cannot currently prescribe medication.
Paramedic – Highly trained medical professional who assesses, diagnose and manage patients with a range of minor illnesses, injuries and long-term conditions.
Why does this matter to patients?
You may be offered an appointment with the most appropriate clinician for your needs—even if that’s not always a GP. This ensures you get the right care, from the right person, at the right time.
If you're unsure about who you need to see, our reception team is trained to guide you to the most suitable clinician based on your symptoms.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
The NHS App is a secure, free app provided by the NHS that gives you convenient access to a range of healthcare services from your smartphone or device.
With the NHS App, you can:
View your GP medical record, including test results, allergies, and vaccinations
Order repeat prescriptions and track the status
Book and manage GP appointments (where available)
View and share your COVID-19 vaccination status
Receive messages from your GP surgery
Update your organ donation preferences
Get trusted advice and guidance on health conditions
Why should I use it?
Using the NHS App saves time and allows you to manage your health more easily—anytime, anywhere, without having to call or visit the surgery. It’s especially helpful for checking results, ordering medication, and staying up to date with your records.
How do I get started?
You can download the NHS App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You’ll need to verify your identity, but once set up, it’s quick and easy to use.
For help setting it up, speak to our reception team—we’re happy to guide you.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
All online forms are reviewed by our Digital Team, made up of trained Care Coordinators who carefully assess (triage) your request and direct it to the most appropriate clinician or service.
They aim to review and respond within 24 hours, usually via text message. The team considers the severity of your symptoms and books you in accordingly. Where appropriate, they may refer you to CPCS (Community Pharmacy Consultation Service) if it's the most efficient and suitable option for your care.
The Digital Team works closely with two Digital Doctors, who provide weekly supervision, support with complex medical queries, and hold dedicated digital clinics to help manage online consultation requests effectively.
You can book a doctor's appointment in the following way:
Online: Visit our website at https://www.first4healthgroup.co.uk/
Selecting the site your registered at
Click on book an appointment
Complete an online accurux form ‘I have a health problem’’
Please note: All online appointment requests are reviewed by our digital triage team. They will assess your symptoms and ensure that urgent cases are prioritised and booked accordingly.