Appointments

Urgent appointments

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times:

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.

Routine appointments

To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.

For more information on our appointments system, please see our practice leaflet (PDF).

Routine pre-booked appointments are available during morning surgery which runs from 9am to 12pm and during afternoon surgery which runs from 2.30pm to 5.50pm, Monday to Friday.

Routine appointments with a doctor are limited to 10 minutes each to discuss a single non-urgent concern, or to review an ongoing problem. If you wish to discuss complex or multiple concerns please request a longer appointment when booking.

Our routine GP face to face and telephone appointments go live on the system every Friday, and we would recommend you calling as close to 8:30am as possible to secure your appointment.

As all doctors work between both sites, your registered doctor may not always be available at your usual surgery. You are able to book with any of our doctors as your medical records are all computerised and accessible by any health professional at the Practice. However, if possible, it is preferable for you to try to see the same doctor whilst dealing with a specific problem.

Key appointment information

  • Each appointment is 10 minutes; if you have a problem that you feel would take longer than a normal appointment, please mention this when booking.
  • Each appointment is for one person only to be dealt with.
  • It would be helpful if you avoided phoning for routine appointments on a Monday when the surgery is particularly busy after the weekend.
  • It would be appreciated if routine enquiries were made after midday as the mornings are the busiest period for reception, this will enable patients who require a same day appointment or urgent visit to access the surgery quicker.
  • Please use the system sensibly, only ask for appointments for simple viral infections if symptoms are severe or persistent.

Please help us to keep the system working by using the services we offer sensibly.

Emergency appointments

All urgent requests for appointments are triaged the same day by telephone. We do not offer a walk-in service. An on-call duty doctor and an advanced nurse practitioner will be available for advice and appointments. Urgent requests are managed jointly between our two surgeries and you may be offered an appointment at either surgery.

Your initial call will be taken by a trained non-clinical member of staff with whom your emergency request can be made. So that your problem can be dealt with appropriately, the receptionist may ask you some questions about your symptoms and degree of urgency. You will then be called back by the nurse practitioner or doctor.

Our emergency service operates from 8:30am until 6:30pm Monday to Friday. Outside these hours we advise patients to contact the Cheltenham out of hours GP service on 0300 421 0220.

Improved access appointments

We are working alongside the other GP practices in St Paul’s to provide additional access to appointments in the evenings and at weekends.

The service provides GP and Nurse appointments until 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8:30am to 12:30pm Saturday and Sunday (including Bank and Public Holidays).

Although you may not see your usual GP, all the GPs and nurses have access to your medical records.

Consent to access your medical record

To treat you appropriately, the GP you see will need access to your medical record and you will be asked for your consent to this when booking. When you arrive for your appointment, you will again be asked for consent to your record being accessed.

If you have changed your mind and do not give your consent, then we will not be able to see you and you will need to re-book to be seen at your own Surgery.

Improving access to general practice: evening and weekend appointments now available

Patients who are registered at Weston House Practice can now book an appointment to see a GP or nurse on weekday evenings (after 6:30pm) or at the weekends (on Saturday and Sunday). Appointments will take place at St Catherine’s Practice within St Paul’s Medical Centre. Talk to the practice reception to find out more or book an appointment.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

If you have missed your appointments 3 times or more, your next appointment can only be booked with the discretion of the practice manager or the doctor or you will be asked to meet the doctor or practice manager. Please treat your doctor and their staff as you would expect to be treated by them, with respect and politeness

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible, this may enable someone else to be seen.

To cancel your appointment:

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 possible please try to telephone the practice on the below numbers before 10:30am if you would like a home visit.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. A GP or Paramedic 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.

Related information

Health A to Z

Sick notes

Test results