Urgent appointments
When is an urgent GP appointment required?
Think things that might get significantly worse if delayed, such as breathing issues, severe headaches, acute dizziness or infections needing quick antibiotics.
Common Reasons for Urgent GP Slots
Infections: Chest, sinus, urinary tract (UTI), skin infections like cellulitis although consider pharmacy first for sinus and UTI (women 16-64 years).
Pain/Discomfort: Acute stomach pain, severe headaches, acute dizziness, earaches.
Respiratory: Sudden breathing problems, severe coughs.
Skin: Sudden severe rashes, allergic reactions.
Mental Health: Acute distress or urgent concerns.
Fever: High temperature, especially with confusion or stiff neck.
Injuries: Minor cuts needing stitches, sprains, suspected fractures (please present to the urgent treatment centre).
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):
- use our appointment request form
- phone us on 01293 510 900, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm if you are elderly, vulnerable or without internet access for us to do the form on your behalf.
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm to do the request form in person
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 doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.
We treat all requests in the same way, no matter how you contact us. Once we’ve reviewed your request, we’ll contact you during surgery hours.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:
- use our appointment request form
- phone us on 01293 510 900, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm if you are elderly, vulnerable or without internet access for us to do the form on your behalf.
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm to do the request form in person
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination
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 doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.
We treat all requests in the same way, no matter how you contact us. Once we’ve reviewed your request, we’ll contact you during surgery hours.
Your appointment
However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:
- by phone
- face to face at the surgery
- on a video call
- by text or email
Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- using the GP online system – Patient Access
- phone us on 01293 510 900, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
- reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message
- by email to ifieldmedicalpractice@nhs.net, but only if your appointment is more than 24 hours away, excluding weekends and public holidays.
If you miss your appointment without cancelling, you will be sent a SMS text informing you that you have missed your appointment. If you miss many appointments, you may be sent a warning.
If you need help when we are closed
If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or call 111.
NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
If you need help with your appointment
Please tell us:
- if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to respond
- if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
- if you need an interpreter
- if you have any other access or communication needs
Home visits
If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. We will phone you first to understand what you need.
To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you phone the practice as soon after 8am as possible.
Training Practice
Ifield Medical Practice has been approved for GP and medical student training. Each year one or more fully qualified doctors with hospital experience may spend time with the practice. This is part of their training to become GPs.
Occasionally, medical students may also spend time with the Practice. All of our trainees and students work closely with our GP partners. Sometimes other doctors who oversee training standards visit the surgery. They inspect patient medical records during these visits to check training standards. Please tell reception if you do not want your medical records included.