Emergency Appointment Change Posted or Updated on 17 Oct 2024

From 1st September 2024 patients will no longer be able to book on-day/emergency appointments with doctors at the reception front desk. These appointments will only be bookable via telephone choosing option 1.

All other appointments can continue to be booked at the front reception desk after 8.45, this allows the receptionists to concentrate on the calls coming into the surgery for emergency appointments as a priority. We ask that all patients with a pre-booked appointment use the check in screens to mark themselves as arrived, and not to approach the desk with routine queries until after 8.45.

This change is being implemented due to feedback and health and safety concerns that have been raised from staff, patients, and the Forest House Surgery Patient Participation Group.

Staff at times have felt intimidated when unlocking the car park and accessing the building before 8.30. This will also prevent patients who are unwell having to stand in extreme weather conditions and free up the entrance for those patients with pre-booked appointments.

The partners feel that as the new telephone system allows up to 100 calls to come in at a time and with the call back facility that holds your place in the queue the new system also creates fair access to patients wishing to make an on-day appointment. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from telephoning the surgery, please contact reception before 1st September 2024.