Urgent @8 - important changes to appointment booking
Bookings at 8am for 'on-the-day' appointments are now only for URGENT severe symptoms.
All other symptoms will be offered appointment slots as soon as possible, according to severity and appropriate clinician. There will be no need for you (the patient) to call back!
Our Doctors have authorised appointments according to symptoms and our team is fully trained to book you the right appointment, at the right time and with the right person.
Why 'Urgent @ 8'?
- So that we can prioritise our on the day slots for the medically most severe patients, to give immediate care
- So that symptoms are seen as soon as clinically appropriate. which may not be on the day but will be a long wait if important
- So that every patient gets an appointment in one call, at the right time for their symptoms
What are medically urgent symptoms?
Eg: sudden severe abdominal (tummy) pain, sudden change in existing condition, unexplained bleeding, breathing difficulties, chest pain more than 2 days (otherwise 999), child under 16 years sudden change or fever, sudden confusion, stroke worries, acute bowel obstruction, emergency contraception, sepsis concerns, sudden pregnancy concerns, persistent severe migraine, fits (not including first fits, 999 call)
What do GPs say can wait for up to a week?
Eg: breast concerns, bowel concerns, fainting with recovery normal, gout, mole concerns, testicular or prostate concerns, non-sudden changes in medical conditions, adult fever not responding to paracetamol longer than 5 days, persistent unexplained cough
What do GPs authorise as routine?
Eg: Non-life threatening allergies, backache, medication reviews, orthopaedic concerns, X rays, Ultrasound, steroid injections, sick notes, annual reviews, contraception, forms, HRT, learning or behaviour concerns
What is a 999 or A & E emergency?
Eg: life-threatening illness or serious injury, extreme difficulty in breathing, sudden chest pain, collapse, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, serious trauma, acute sepsis (fever, chills, fast heartbeat, fast breathing), first fit
What does a Minor Injury Unit Hospital see?
Eg limb injuries, wounds, grazes and minor burns, head injuries, without loss or consciousness or anti-coagulation medication, minor neck and back injuries, eye, ear and nose injuries, rib injuries, insect, animal and human bites, dressings, X-rays
What can a Pharmacy or Optician help with?
Acne, athlete's foot, backache, covid and cough/colds, chickenpox, cold sores, colic, conjunctivitis, new constipation without other symptoms, emergency contraception, dermatitis, diarrhea, dry eyes, hay fever, head lice, indigestion, ingrowing toenails, fungal infections, mouth ulcers, nappy rash, ring worm, scabies, teething, UTI, verrucae, warts
What can our Practice Minor Illness Nurses help with?
If assistance from a chemist hasn't worked for any of the above, our Practice Nurses can help. They can also see rashes, tonsils & sore throats, sinusitis, earache, measles, infected insect bites, cellulitis