Cherrymead Surgery Appointments
How to get advice and make an appointment
The aim of our system is for patients to get advice and treatment from the most appropriate health professional as quickly as possible.
- Appointments with the doctor
- Appointments with the practice nurse
- Physiotherapy appointments
- Appointments with the midwife
- 6-week postnatal checks
- Baby clinics
- Telephone discussions
- Routine home visits
Appointments with the doctor
Emergency appointments
When you telephone the surgery you will hear a list of options.
Patients selecting option 1 will be routed to duty extension and may be answered immediately or if already engaged, the following message will play:
"The duty clinician is dealing with another patient at present – you may like to ring NHS direct on 0845 4647. Alternatively leave a message and your call will be returned within 2 hours.
- Q: State your name
- Q: Your daytime contact number"
Routine appointments
If you wish to see a doctor less urgently you can request a routine appointment. We will offer you the next available appointment, which will usually be within 48 hours. If you wish to see a specific doctor, this may take longer, depending on when they are available. GP appointments are available mornings and afternoons, Monday to Friday.
Out of hours appointments
Information about the out of hours service will be included in the answerphone message.
Appointments with the practice nurse
Please call for an appointment with the nurse. If it is regarding dietary or travel advice, a coil fitting or a smear test, please tell the receptionist so that you can be given a longer appointment.
Physiotherapy appointments
The physiotherapist visits on Mondays. The doctor will refer you if appropriate, and you will be contacted and offered an appointment.
Appointments with the midwife
The midwife is available for ante-natal appointments on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. If it is your first appointment please tell the receptionist, as first appointments need to be longer to give you more information and arrange for tests to be carried out.
6-week postnatal checks
The date of your baby’s birth will sent to us and will be entered on our database. You will be offered 6-week checks for both mother and baby automatically.
Baby clinics
Baby clinics are held on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at Loudwater. You will be contacted by us to arrange an appointment for your baby’s routine immunisations.
You do not need an appointment to see the Health Visitor
Telephone discussions
Not all advice needs an appointment, and you may find it quicker to get the information you need by telephone.
If you need to talk to a doctor about a non-urgent matter, for example a question about a prescription or something you forgot to ask at an appointment, you can call and leave your name and contact number. If you leave a message before 3.30pm, a doctor will call you back later that day, though we cannot guarantee a particular time. If you leave your message after 3.30pm the doctor will pick the message up the next day.
You can also leave a message with reception for a practice nurse or a District Nurse to call you.
If they want to contact the Health Visitors please call their direct number, 01628 476624 – if they are not available you can leave a message on their answer machine.
To speak to a community midwife call 01494 425172.
If you have a query about a medical report or referral, please talk to the Practice Secretary on 01628 532552.
Routine home visits
If you feel you need a home visit, please call the surgery before 1pm. If it is not an emergency, your usual doctor will call you back after morning surgery. If you call after 1pm, the Duty doctor will return your call.
