Some people like to fit GP appointments in with their work or other commitments; others prefer to ring for a same day appointment. Some have routine matters to discuss; others have urgent problems needing prompt attention.
We do our very best to meet these varying needs within the limitations of the number of GPs and appointments available. Often a Nurse will be able to deal with your problem (please see our leaflets Do you know what our Nurses can do? and Appointments and Services) and the receptionist may ask you a few questions to help you find the most appropriate point of care.
Urgent appointments
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):
- use our appointment request form, Monday to Friday from 7am to 4pm. We will respond within 4 hours during opening times
- phone us on 01332 842288, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
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.
Routine appointments
Bookable up to 4 weeks ahead, these provide choice and flexibility as to when and by whom you are seen. If these appointments are filled on a particular day the receptionist will look for an acceptable alternative. Other appointments are released 2-5 working days ahead to enable you to see your usual GP with a problem that is not urgent but you would like to be seen within a few days. These appointments are also available to book online, please refer to online services.
To request a routine appointment:
- Systmonline – Click here for how to register
- NHS App – Self registration
- over the telephone by ringing 01332 842288 between 8.00 am to 6.30pm
- If you would rather book in person, please feel free to pop into reception and speak with a receptionist
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.
Online Consultations
You can go to Online Consult to get advice or treatment from a GP. You can also organise your fit note, discuss test results, GP letters etc. Responses are normally within 2 working days.
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:
- Telephone reception on 01332 842288
- Via online services eg. NHS App, Systmonline
- Pop down to reception
- Follow the link on your appointment reminder to cancel your appointment
Hundreds of appointments are wasted each year by patients not cancelling their appointments.
Booking a Blood Test
Please always remember to take your paper blood form to your test
If you have been asked to have a routine blood test you must now book online through Swiftqueue.
You can book your online appointment at Phlebotomy (Blood Tests) | University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS (uhdb.nhs.uk) or go directly on the Swiftqueue website: Online Appointment Healthcare Platform | Swiftqueue
Please note that for a routine test you will not be seen if you attend without an appointment.
When you book, please ensure you have received an email from Swiftqueue as confirmation of your booking.
You do not have to have your test at your nearest clinic, you may find that your waiting time is reduced if you are flexible as to where you have your test.
Please find link below that provides guidance on booking a test:
How Do I Book My Blood Test Appointment? – Swiftqueue Help Centre
There is also a limited number of appointments for blood tests at Appletree
Urgent Blood Tests Required within 48 hours
If your Blood Test is urgent i.e. within 48 hours, there are daily walk-in slots available at
- Babington Hospital, Belper DE56 1WH
- Coleman Street Health Centre, Coleman St, Alvaston, Derby DE24 8NH
- Florence Nightingale Community Hospital, Derby DE1 2QY
- St Oswalds, 22 Clifton Rd, Ashbourne DE6 1DR
This means you can attend and be seen on the day. The advice is to come early, you may be required to wait.
Important: These are for urgent bloods only and if this is not specified by your GP you will be asked to book via Swiftqueue.
Late Arrivals
Patients arriving late for appointments make it difficult for the clinicians to run to time, keeping other patients waiting. Unless your need is medically urgent, if you are more than 10 minutes late you may be asked to rebook for another day.
If you cannot attend an appointment please let us know as soon as possible – this may enable someone else to be seen.
Whilst we make every effort to ensure that surgeries run on time there will be times when an emergency arises or a patient needs longer than the 10 minutes allotted to them. This may result in you waiting beyond your appointment time. We ask for your patience and understanding if this happens
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
We are pleased to provide home visits for the housebound and those too ill to come to surgery. If you feel a home visit is appropriate please telephone the surgery, before 11.00am whenever possible, and give the Receptionist an indication of the nature and urgency of the problem. The doctor will usually wish to speak to you before arranging to visit.
Please be aware that the quality of care we are able to provide in the home may be less than can be offered at the well-equipped medical centre.
Unfortunately, lack of transport itself is not a reason for a home visit. In such instances you may like to contact Amber Valley Community Transport on 01773 746652 for help with transport.
Please read our DNA Appointment Policy
