Appointments & Enquiries
To book an appointment, please call the surgery, or come to our reception desk at any time the surgery is open. You can also request some types of routine appointments online.
Routine appointments are available up to four weeks ahead.
Our book on the day appointments open automatically at 8.00am each day that the surgery is open and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Requests for urgent appointments for acute illness are dealt with by a telephone triage system, and can’t be booked online. Please call the surgery in the morning and a nurse, doctor or physician assistant will phone you to discuss the problem. They can arrange an emergency appointment or give you advice as necessary. If possible, please try to phone before 10.00am.
How does the acute illness system work?
The triage team may include doctors, specially trained nurses, and physician assistants.
The triage team will attempt to call you once. If you do not answer the phone, they will not try again. Please ensure that you are available to take the call.
The triage team will assess your health needs and direct you to the most appropriate health professional such as a doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or even self help. You may not always need to see a doctor.
The advice given is based on procedures drawn up by the doctors who supervise the other members of the triage team.
It may be useful to remember that the triage team are acting as a channel between the patient and the doctor – they are not there as a barrier, so please help them to help you.
Please be considerate to other patients in urgent need of a same day appointment – if you have a routine or ongoing problem, please use the routine appointment system.
Non-urgent advice: Please note
We are unable to leave messages on answer phones or voicemail systems for reasons of confidentiality.
Please note that the doctor will only see one patient per appointment. If there are other members of the family with you, they will need to have separate appointments.
Make the most of your visit to the doctor
Take notes, ask questions. If you do not understand what is being said ask for it to be explained again in plain English.
Find out about your family medical history. It does not mean you will have the same problems but any risk needs to be taken in to account by the doctor.
Boost your confidence by making a list of symptoms beforehand and rehearse how you will answer questions such as, “Where is the pain?” or “How long have you had it?”
Chaperones
Video consultations
Pound Hill Surgery
Appointments & Enquiries: Tel: 01293 540 620.
Appointments are normally between 08.30 – 11.30 in the morning and 14.00 – 17.30 in the afternoon, although appointments outside of these core times may be available. We also offer Enhanced Access appointments, which are typically evenings from 6:30PM to 8:00PM, mornings before 8:00AM, and on Saturdays.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 08.00 – 18.30
Copthorne Surgery
Appointments & Enquiries: Tel: 01342 774 888
Appointments are normally between the 08.30 – 11.30 in the morning, and 14.00 – 17.30 in the afternoon (Monday – Thursday) or 14.00 – 17.00 (Friday).
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 08.00 – 18.30 & Friday 08.00 – 17.30
Non-urgent advice: Important
If you arrive late for your appointment you may be asked to wait until the end of surgery to be seen. However, if you arrive 10 minutes or more late for your appointment, you will be asked to re-book.
Home Visits
If possible please try to telephone reception before 10:00am if you require a home visit.
You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP 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.
What to expect when you visit the doctor – Easy Read guide
The practice has put together an easy read guide for people with learning disabilities or additional needs. It helps to explain with simple words and pictures how to book a doctor’s appointment, when you should come to see the doctor, and what happens when you come for an appointment.