Access to General Practice

General practice is here for you, but how you contact your GP surgery might be different at the moment. Face-to-face appointments are available to patients where there is a clinical need. If you have a strong preference that your consultation is carried out face-to-face then please talk to your practice. You will be asked to first discuss your conditions over the phone or online with a member of the healthcare team to assess what would be most appropriate for you and which practice member would best provide it.


Most GP practices are also offering online consultations and video consultations, as well as telephone and face-to-face consultations. These can be convenient and flexible ways to receive healthcare. If you have a preference about how to access care you can discuss it with your practice.


You can attend the practice in person but please ensure you follow social distancing measures and do not attend if you have symptoms of COVID-19, are self-isolating due to a positive COVID-19 test or have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19.


Your NHS services have a range of measures in place to keep you safe from COVID-19, including regular cleaning of patient areas and social distancing. Please ensure you wear a face covering when attending the practice.


General practice continues to offer care based on clinical need.


General practice continues to offer routine screenings, health checks and immunisations.


The COVID-19 vaccination programme is continuing and will take some time to roll out in full. Please be assured that everyone who needs the vaccine will be offered it. The NHS will be in touch with you when it is your turn to be vaccinated. Please don’t call your GP practice before you are invited. In the meantime, you can get information about the COVID-19 Vaccination online at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination.


It is important to register with your local practice. Anyone in England can register with a GP, without needing to show proof of address, ID or immigration status. Find out more about how to register with a GP.


Please be polite and respectful, your GP and practice team are available and working hard to support you, your family and your friends’ health and care needs.


Consider visiting the local pharmacy for clinical advice on minor health concerns.


How to seek healthcare advice from a GP

  1. Visit your GP surgery website and complete a confidential online form to request advice or treatment. You will receive a response as soon as possible, usually within two working days. Online forms should not be used for very urgent medical problems.
  2. Call your surgery to arrange an appointment. You will usually be assessed on the telephone first, with face-to-face care arranged if clinically needed. If you have a preference about how to access care you can discuss it with your practice.
  3. You can visit your practice in person but please follow social distancing guidelines. You should not visit your practice in person if isolating due to COVID-19, if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, or are self-isolating due to a positive COVID-19. You may be asked some questions about your condition to decide which member of the general practice team it would be most appropriate for you to see.
  4. For urgent issues or out of hours, you can also go online to seek NHS advice 111.nhs.uk or call the NHS on 111
  5. Download the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions and get health advice.