Appointments

Appointment System

You can make an appointment to see a doctor or nurse by calling 01706 658 905, or by asking at reception.  You can also register for our Online Appointment Booking Service.  Please enquire at reception for more details. Once registered you can access the system via the link at the top of this page.

We try to offer a mix between ‘Routine’ and ‘Urgent’ appointments to help people be seen when they need to be.  The receptionists will ask for the reason for the appointment so they can help you to see the correct person as we offer a wide variety of services.  You do not have to offer a reason if you prefer not to, or if it is personal.

Routine or Urgent?

Typically if you think your problem is ‘Urgent’ we will try to see you the same day.  

In the event of a child 12 years or under needing an urgent appointment, you will be either offered an appointment or triaged and then offered an appointment if the matter can't be resolved over the telephone or if clinically appropriate.

Continuity of Care

We at Castleton Health Centre recognise the importance of having a Family Doctor and seeing the same doctor wherever possible.  As we are a large training practice seeing your regular or ‘Named’ Doctor may not always be possible, however we will do our best to ensure it is done when they are available.

Enhanced Access

Early Morning, Evening and Weekend Appointments

The Canalside Primary Care Network is a group of six practices (Castleton Health Centre, Wellfield Health Centre, Kirkholt Medical Practice, Kingsway Health Centre, The Hive (Middleton) and Middleton Health Centre who work together to offer appointments early mornings, evenings and weekend.

Morning appointments are now available from 07:00 and are a mix telephone appointments and face to face. These appointments are with GPs, nurses or other healthcare professionals.  

The appointments offered via enhanced access will be at one of the practices named above and with a different clinician than you usually see.  This clinician will have access to your health records.  

To book this type of appointment, please contact the practice on 01706 658905.

Home Visits

Home visits can be made for patients too ill to travel to the surgery.  Please try to ring before 10am and give some brief details to our receptionists.  A doctor may ring you to discuss your symptoms and offer advice if it is felt this is more appropriate.  

We can always examine patients more thoroughly and do more tests here at the surgery, so please do try to come in if possible.

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.

Cancelling or Changing an Appointment

Cancellations are sometimes necessary and we understand this, so if you could just let us know as soon as you do, we can then allocate your appointment to somebody else.  In an aim to reduce the number of failed appointments, the practice now offers a text reminder facility for patient.  Please ensure that your contact details are recorded on your record.

You can also complete our appointment Cancel an Appointmnet Form. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance (excluding weekends and public holidays). You can also text to cancel your appointment.

 

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

Out of Hours Help and Information

If you feel you need to speak to or see a doctor whilst we are closed and it cannot wait until we re-open then please contact the out-of-hours GP service.

Between 18:30 – 08:00, Monday to Friday, weekends and bank holidays please contact 111

Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.

In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency. 

For more information please see   https://111.nhs.uk/

NHS 111

NHS 111 Online

111 online is a fast and convenient alternative to the 111 phone service and provides an option for people who want to access 111 digitally. 

Your needs will be assessed and you will be given advice about whether you need:

  • Treat yourself at home
  • Go to a Primary Care Centre

If you need face to face medical attention you may be asked to attend a Primary Care Centre.

Click here to access NHS 111 online or call 111 to speak to a staff member.

 

Text Reminder Service

We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.

To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.

Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.

Complete our SMS Reminder Form

Travel vaccinations

If you're planning to travel outside the UK you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

View the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice