Appointments

Having a range of health professionals at your general practice means you can receive the right care for your condition as quickly as possible. Your general practice team is here to help you: To find out about the range of professionals here to help you in our practice, visit: www.penninegpa.co.uk/about-us/primary-care-additional-roles/. Contact us today to make an appointment and we will ensure you see the right person for your needs.

If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and they will arrange this for you.

Ways to make appointments:   

Book or Cancel Appointments Online

Rapid Health

Rapid health is our online patient triage system; Rapid Health can be used to access self-care information, submit medical and administrative requests, and even register new patients to the surgery.

Please scan the QR code to access to the online triage service.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

We operate a GP triage system.

This means when you contact the practice to make an appointment the GP will be advising the receptionist where you need to be booked in to, to receive the care you need that day.

  • Appointment with a GP (that day or in the future, with your usual doctor or the duty doctor that day)
  • Appointment with the MSK (physio) team.
  • Advised to contact the Community Pharmacy to utilise the minor ailment scheme.
  • Appointment with our pharmacy team to deal with any medication issues.
  • Or given further contact information of more appropriate services that you can self-refer to.

You will be asked a set of questions by the receptionist and dependent on response the team will know where to signpost – anything they are unsure of the GP will advise and direct.

Benefits to the Patient:

  • You will be seen by the most appropriate clinician, reducing duplication of appointments.
  • It will improve continuity of care.
  • It will mean you can contact the practice at any time of day and your need will be met – no more ringing at 8am

Benefits to the Practice:

  • More efficient clinics
  • Less duplication of appointments.
  • Happy patients


New Online Appointment Booking System

The Practice will be introducing a new way for patients to access our service from Monday 22 September. Rapid Health is an online facility that allows patients to book GP, nurse physiotherapist or Mental Health Practitioner appointments, without needing to ‘phone the Practice.

Patients will be presented with a series of questions about their medical problem. From here, patients will be offered a choice of appointment with the most appropriate clinician(s), in the most appropriate timeframe, based on their clinical need.

This should result in shorter waiting times and focusses on “getting it right first time” by seeing the most appropriate member of the team for your medical issue. It will also prevent the 8am rush and long waits on the telephones.

The new service will also allow patients to raise administrative requests, such as sick/fit notes, doctors letters and more and find trusted self-care information for a wide range of symptoms and health conditions. This new service is in addition to existing telephone services for our patients who don’t have a mobile/ ‘smart’ ‘phone or access to a computer.

For those who are able to do so, we ask that from 22 September, all contacts with the Surgery come through Rapid Health, which is accessed via the Practice website.

If you are unable to use the website, please phone the Surgery. Our Patient Services Team will add your details into Rapid Health ensuring all patient contacts are treated equally.


Rapid Health FAQ

Rapid Health is an on-line triage tool approved by the NHS which allows you to book appointments quickly and provides additional patient choice and availability by offering you the right appointment with the right clinician first time.
The link to access Rapid Health is on our website. There are posters in the Practice with the link and a QR code.
We understand that not everyone can use online services and our Patient Services Team will still be available on the ‘phone and in person to help you. The team will take some details from you and pass these through to Rapid Health, who will then triage your request and offer you a suitable appointment, advice, or signpost you to an alternative/ appropriate service.
Not at the moment. However, this is currently in development so keep an eye out for further updates.
When you are booking an appointment, the GPs with available appointments will be shown. We would encourage you where possible to book with your usual GP.

All our appointments will be available. After completing the Rapid Health questions, an appointment will be offered within an appropriate timeframe.
Rapid Health is primarily used for the booking of GP appointments, however depending on your presenting complaint you may be offered an appointment with one of our Practice Nurses, Physiotherapists or Mental Health Practitioners, where appropriate.
Patients will be offered an appointment with the most appropriate clinician based on their clinical need.
Once you have completed our triage questionnaire, we will offer an appointment in the most appropriate time frame. If you have not received an appointment, our Patient Services Adviser team will be advised and your issue will be triaged by a doctor. A member of our Patient Services Adviser team will then be in contact within 48 hours.

The information which you provide is saved to your medical records and is reviewed by the Clinician during your appointment. If you require our assistance when booking an appointment but want the reason to remain confidential, we have tablets available at Reception to use where a Patient Services Adviser can assist you when needed. Every employee at the Practice adheres to our strict confidentially policy.