Appointments
💡 Need Medical Advice or Help with Admin Tasks?
Our online system is the fastest and most effective way to reach us, whether you need medical advice or support with administrative requests.
β Use "Questions and Admin" for:
Please select this option only for non-medical requests, such as:
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π Doctor’s letter or report
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π Referral query
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π§Ύ Sick note / Fit note request
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π Repeat prescription request orβ Medication queries
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π Test results
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π Travel risk assessment
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π§π» Update your personal details
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π Register for electronic prescriptions (EPS)
β Please do NOT use "I need medical advice" for these requests.
π©Ί Use "I Need Medical Advice" for:
Select this option only if you're feeling unwell or have a health concern that isn’t related to the above admin list, such as:
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π€ Headaches or migraines
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πΈ Women’s health issues
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π Men’s health concerns
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π΄ Sleep issues
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𦴠Joint pain or skin conditions
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Any other new or ongoing symptoms
π¬ This helps us get your request to the right team faster and avoid delays in your care.
π² Click the Here or scan the QR code to get started, we're here to help.
Cancelling or changing an Appointment
How to Cancel or Change Your Appointment
If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment, you can do so in one of the following ways:
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Complete our online admin request form – click here
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Call our cancellation line and leave a voicemail: 01462 654040
Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice so we can offer the appointment to another patient.
If your appointment is within the next hour, please contact the reception team directly by phone.
Important:
Missed appointments without notice may result in a formal warning letter. Repeated missed appointments could lead to removal from our patient list.
Booking an Appointment – What You Need to Know
π©Ί Do You Really Need a GP Appointment?
Before booking an appointment, consider whether your condition could be managed with self-care or advice from a pharmacist or NHS 111.
💊 Self-Care Is Often the Best First Step
Many minor illnesses do not require a GP appointment or prescription. Your local pharmacist can advise on a wide range of common issues, including:
- Back pain
- Colds, Cold Sores, Coughs, Chickenpox
- Conjunctivitis (Allergic or Infective)
- Constipation, Diarrhoea
- Earache, Earwax
- Hay fever, Headache, Head Lice
- Indigestion, Insect stings
- Mouth ulcers
- Nappy rash, Nosebleeds
- Sinusitis, Sore throat, Sprains and Strains
- Warts and Verrucas
Pharmacists are trained professionals who can provide expert guidance and recommend over-the-counter treatments – often without any need to see a GP.
📞 Other Services That Can Help
NHS 111
For advice on colds, sore throats, coughs, and other common ailments, call NHS 111 or use the NHS 111 Symptom Checker online.
They can guide you on the most appropriate next steps.
π₯ Minor Injury Units Nearby
If you have a minor injury such as cuts, sprains, burns or minor fractures, you may be able to access help faster by visiting a Minor Injury Unit rather than waiting for a GP appointment.
Lister Hospital – Open 24 hours
Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB
π Tel: 01438 314333
Queen Elizabeth II Hospital – Open 08:00–22:00
Howlands, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4HQ
π Tel: 01438 314333
π Extended Hours Appointments
We offer pre-bookable evening and weekend appointments for routine care. Please contact the reception team for available times.
Note: Extended hours clinics are by appointment only. There is no duty doctor and no emergency care available during these sessions.
π Out-of-Hours Care
For urgent issues outside of normal practice hours, please contact the Out-of-Hours GP service via NHS 111 or call 01438 314333. This service operates 24/7 for emergencies only.
🤝 Help Us Help You – Make the Most of Your Appointment
Talk to Reception
Our trained reception team are here to help. By sharing the reason for your appointment, they can direct you to the most appropriate clinician – such as a nurse, healthcare assistant, or pharmacist – saving valuable GP time for complex issues.
See the Right Person
Today’s NHS is a team effort. For example:
- Travel vaccinations → Travel clinic
- Cholesterol checks or blood pressure → Healthcare assistant
- Minor illness → Practice nurse or local pharmacist
Your GP is best reserved for ongoing or complex issues.
Prioritise & Be Specific
Let the GP know your main concern upfront so they can focus the consultation effectively. Start with a clear description of your symptoms (e.g. “I’ve had a cough and fever for three days”). You don’t need to diagnose yourself – just explain how you feel and what you're hoping for.
Follow-Up? Give a Quick Recap
If you’re coming back for a follow-up, start with a 10-second summary of why you came last time and what’s changed since. This helps the clinician pick up where you left off.
Thank you for working with us to ensure appointments are used appropriately. This allows us to offer timely care to everyone who needs it.
If you’re still unsure whether you need an appointment, please speak to our reception team or use NHS 111 online for advice.
Page created: 01 March 2023