Clinic times
GP clinics are held every morning and afternoon, except Thursday afternoon at Oakfields Health Centre. An additional clinic is held Wednesday evenings at Oakfields Health Centre for people who have difficulty getting to the practice during working hours.
Please refer to our GP and other clinics guide. This includes a range of conditions other clinical team members can help you with, which may be more suitable than an appointment with the GP.
Appointments
- request an appointment online using eConsult Monday to Friday
- phone us Monday to Friday during opening hours 01207 560206 for Oakfields Health Centre or 01207 571222 at Dipton
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday.
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.
If you are unable to keep an appointment please notify reception as soon as possible so that the appointment can be offered to another patient. We regularly monitor the number of times when patients “did not attend” for their appointment. This helps us to make sure we make best use of the available appointments.
Help from your pharmacy
Did you know that your local pharmacy can help you with a lot of minor ailments; and a lot of treatments are covered by the Pharmacies.
Are you suffering from one of the following?
Simple urine infection in females 16 years to 65 years, Cystitis, Headache, Earache, Temperature, Indigestion, Heartburn, Cough, Sore Throat, Blocked Nose, Head Lice, Hay Fever, Tummy Upset, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Thrush, Athletes Foot, Warts, Verrucae, Ringworm, Threadworm, Scabies, Contact dermatitis, Acne, Teething, Nappy rash.
The following local pharmacies can be used:
Dipton Pharmacy
Dixon and Hall Stanley
Lloyds Chemist
Boots
John Lowes, Queens Road Blackhill
Consett Pharmacies
Appointment system
The practice offers either online access via the eConsult, telephone consultations or, if indicated, a face to face appointment booked by the Doctor.
Via the eConsult online system you can request help from the practice when, where and how it suits you.
When you ring for an appointment with the GP, in the first instance you will be asked whether the problem can be dealt with by the Nurse Practitioner. If this is not appropriate you will then be offered a telephone consultation with the Doctor or, if more convenient, you will be directed to eConsult.
We hope that this system of online, telephone and, where indicated, face to face appointments will improve the service we provide. However, we will continue to monitor waiting times and your feedback to ensure that this is the case.
Please be advised that we are changing the way we contact you for your long term condition(s) review. We will send you a link to your mobile phone, with your appointment letter attached. If you are unable to view or download this letter, please contact the surgery and we can then post your appointment details to you.
Use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination.
Extended hours opening
GPs practices in Derwentside are working together to offer extra GP appointments from 6:00pm on weekday evenings as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings. To book an ‘Extended hours’ appointment please contact the surgery Monday to Friday 8:30am to – 6:00pm. When our surgery is closed, please call 111 to access these clinics, which are held at Tanfield View Surgery, Stanley.
Access the GP online appointment system
Manage your appointments via our online service:
Non-urgent advice: Emergencies
What is an Emergency?
Whatever the time of day, if you or someone else experiences the symptoms below and you feel it is so serious that it cannot wait, go to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department or call 999.
Symptoms include;
Non-blanching rashes (the glass test)
Possible anaphylactic shock (swelling of mouth and throat)
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.
Appointments by phone, or video call can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- using the GP online system – systmonline
- phone us
- If you are late for an appointment you may be asked to re-book.
If you need help now or 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, or by face-to-face
- if you need an interpreter
- if you have any other access or communication needs.
Home visits
If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. We will phone you first to understand what you need.
To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you phone the practice as soon after 8.30am as possible. Home visits are usually scheduled between 12:00 noon and 2:00pm.
Non urgent visits to housebound patients may not be possible until the next working day.
You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP
Additional information about your appointment with us
Can I bring someone to accompany me to the Appointment?
We are generally very happy for patients to bring with them a carer, relative or even a friend. This often helps, particularly when they know you well and it allows them to tell us any observations they would make about you, which can help us in undertaking our assessment. Ultimately this will lead us more quickly to make an accurate diagnosis and therefore help you more.
Also, having someone with you means they can prompt you to ask questions that you may have forgotten, and after the appointment they can help in reminding you what was discussed.
Occasionally we might ask for them to leave but this would be unusual.
If you require interpretation services please contact us in advance of you appointment and we will arrange this.
Chaperone Policy
We will always respect your privacy, dignity and your religious and cultural beliefs particularly when intimate examinations are advisable – these will only be carried out with your express agreement and you will be offered a chaperone to attend the examination if you so wish.
You may also request a chaperone when making the appointment or on arrival at the surgery (please let the receptionist know) or at any time during the consultation.
Giving Consent for Treatment
You have the right to accept or refuse treatment that is offered to you, and not to be given any physical examination or treatment unless you have given valid consent. If you do not have the capacity to do so, consent must be obtained from a person legally able to act on your behalf, or the treatment must be in your best interests.
Your valid consent (agreement to the course of action) is needed for the treatment that’s offered to you before any physical examinations or treatment can be given. If you haven’t given your consent, you can accept or refuse treatment that’s offered to you.
It’s important to be involved in decisions about your treatment and to be given information to help you choose the right treatment. When making treatment choices, you’ll often discuss the options with your doctor or another healthcare professional.
If you have a suspected infectious disease
Please inform reception if you suspect an infectious disease, as this will enable us to deal with it appropriately during your visit to protect you, other patients and staff.
Interpreter
If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and this will be arranged.
Intimate Examinations
During your care, a doctor may need to examine you in order to provide you with the best care. Occasionally this may involve an examination of intimate areas. We understand that this can be stressful and embarrassing. If this sort of examination is necessary:
- We will explain to you why the examination is necessary and give you the opportunity to ask questions.
- We will explain what the examination will involve, including whether you can expect it to be painful or uncomfortable.
- We will obtain your permission before carrying out this examination You will be offered a chaperone.
- At all times we will respect your privacy during the examination and while dressing and undressing.
Your doctor and the nursing staff will be happy to discuss any concerns you have about this.
Private Medical Examinations
Medical examinations for special purposes such as pre-employment, fitness to travel, elderly drivers, fitness to undertake sports etc, will require longer than a routine appointment.
These examinations do not form part of NHS Services, you will be charged for any such examination. Please check the fee chargeable when you require to arrange any such examination.