We are participating in a new approach to improve access for patients to GP appointments.
Patients will see the right healthcare professional for their needs, which may be a GP or Pharmacist.
You can have a booked appointment with the pharmacist through a same-day referral (to a pharmacy of your choice).
This will help us to free up GP appointments for people with more complex health needs. This ensures everyone gets treated at the right time, by the right person.
We will be listening to your comments and feedback about your experience of using this service.
Pharmacy Q&As (DOCX, 15KB)
Appointments can be made in three ways:
Appointment information
We offer appointments either in person at the surgery, or via telephone consultations, depending on your preference and medical needs.
Appointments can be booked by telephone, in person or online. You will be asked about your symptoms so that a clinician can decide on the best way to support your health needs.
Most appointments become available on the day at 8:00, however, a limited number of appointments are released one day in advance and can be booked directly through our online services (SystmOnline). Additionally, we offer a small number of pre-bookable appointments up to two weeks in advance, depending on availability.
To further improve accessibility, we provide weekend appointments through our Primary Care Network (PCN) for patients requiring care outside regular hours. These appointments are located at Dorridge Surgery or Balsall Common Practice.
We kindly ask that you inform us in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment to help us manage our services efficiently.
Please note that none of the doctors work every day.
If you would like a chaperone please tell reception when booking your appointment or when checking in.
Telephone Appointments
To request a telephone appointment with a doctor, please call 01564 739 194 and a receptionist will arrange for a doctor to call you back.
Please be ready to provide a contact telephone number to the reception team.
Home Visits
We would ask that where possible patients attend consultations at the surgery. However, home visits can booked for those housebound by illness or infirmity.
Please telephone the surgery 01564 739 194 before 11:00am if possible, or at any time in case of acute illness.
Text messages for appointments
A text message will be sent when an appointment is made. Please make sure that Reception have your up to date mobile telephone number. A text reminder is also sent on the day of your appointment.
Should you cancel or not keep an appointment a text message will be sent.
Should you not wish to receive text messages, please inform Reception on 01564 739 194.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
If you can not make your appointment let us know as soon as you can so another patient can book the appointment time. You can cancel or change your appointment:
To request an urgent appointment for today (Monday to Friday)
- Phone us Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 18:30. Please note we close at 12:30pm on Wednesday.
- Visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 18:30. Please note we close at 12:30pm on Wednesday.
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with. We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable health professional to help you.
Pre-bookable, evening and weekend GP appointments
To further improve accessibility, we provide weekend appointments through our Primary Care Network (PCN) for patients requiring care outside regular hours. These appointments are located at Dorridge Surgery or Balsall Common Practice. Call us to book an extended access appointment.
You will need to consent to share your medical record with the Extended Access Service.
If you need help when we are closed
- Use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or call 111. NHS 111 Online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
- Out of hours information
- If it’s a life-threatening emergency call 999.
Try the NHS App
You can now use the NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and your GP account on your smartphone or tablet.
You can use the NHS App to
- check your symptoms and get instant advice
- book appointments
- order repeat prescriptions
- view your GP medical record
- access your Covid vaccination status and more
If you already use online access you can continue to use it. You can use the NHS App as well.
For more information go to www.nhs.uk/nhsapp