What happens if you miss the call from the GP?

Our GPs and nurses will try to call you a minimum of 2 times, leaving at least a few minutes between each call. If you miss a second call then we ask you to please call the practice to rebook another telephone triage appointment . In order to treat all patients fairly it is important we follow this policy strictly. The only exception is upon GP request when there is a medical concern.

Use NHS 111 - call, go online or use the NHS app

If you are ill or hurt and need help fast, but it is not a 999 emergency, remember to Talk before you Walk:

• Call 111, open 24/7. Your call will be answered by a highly trained operator who will be able to assist you in the convenience and safety of your own home.
• Visit 111.NHS.uk.
• Use the NHS app.

The online services ask you a series of questions to help identify your symptoms and recommend safe and appropriate action to take. This could include:

• booking an appointment at an Urgent Treatment Centre
• arranging for a prescription to be available for collection from a pharmacy
• arranging an online consultation with a GP
• a telephone or video consultation with a clinical professional

We have now launched a new online triage system called Accurx. Please go to our home page and click the button under Consult with my GP. 

You will then be prompted to fill out a form for either an admin query or medical issue.

If you would like to book a nurse appointment, please select 'I have an admin query' and then 'I need help with something else' and write in the details of the appointment you would like. A member of our triage team would then contact you to arrange the appointment. 

If you wish to discuss more than one issue please book a double appointment as, in order to minimise the delay for other patients, we need to ensure sufficient time is allocated for your appointment.

The receptionists are often your first contact with the practice –  delivering messages, receiving requests for repeat prescriptions, and generally looking after you. They have a difficult job but are always trying to help. All our staff are trained in confidentiality and the patient medical computer system.

If you wish a chaperone to be in attendance during your consultation, please advise Reception or a clinician who will arrange for a member of staff to be present.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the Practice. Your GP or our Frailty Team will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

You can be visited at home by a Community Nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

It is important that you inform the Reception staff if you are unable to attend your appointment as this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters may be removed from the list.

You can also complete our appointment cancellation notification request form here. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance (excluding weekends and public holidays). 

We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.

You will need to register for this service by completing a consent form. Please ask for details at Reception or click here.

Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers, and email address.

Please attend your appointment on time. If you are more than 5 minutes late you may not be seen. We wil try our best to rearrange your appointment on our next available Clinic-except in the event of a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

If you require an interpreter when attending your appointment, please notify a member of the Reception team who will arrange this for you.

Richmond Medical Centre is pleased to be able to offer our patients access to routine appointments at evenings and weekends. Appointments will also be available on bank holidays and across the Easter and Christmas and New Year periods.

Extended access appointments are for pre-bookable, non-urgent appointments. Examples of these include chronic illness, asthma checks, and medication reviews.

The service is being delivered by a federation of GP Practices in the area. If a patient wishes to attend an extended access appointment, they may need to travel to another local GP Practice or a central GP Practice hub and may not necessarily see their own GP.

In our locality, appointments are available between 6.30pm and 8pm Monday to Friday, and on Saturday mornings. There are also a number of additional appointments being made available during core hours (8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday).

To arrange an appointment or for more information on when and where appointments are available, please speak to the Reception team.