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Top tips for using your GP practice

We understand that it is not always easy to get an appointment at your GP practice. Practices are making lots of changes to make it easier, but you can also help them make sure everyone gets the care they need by following these top tips.

What can you do to look after the problem yourself?

Self-care
Self-referral

Never delay contacting your practice.

  • If you still need help, never delay contacting your practice if you have a health concern.
  • This includes attending routine appointments for blood tests, long term condition checks and screening, e.g. cervical smear test.
  • If you have an appointment but it is some time away and your condition has deteriorated, do get back in touch with your practice.

Right care, right place

  • Right care, right place is all about matching you, and every patient, to the right level of care, from the right health professional, in the right part of the NHS, first time – when you need help quickly.
  • This is important so NHS resources are used in the best way to help everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland get the care they need as quickly as possible.
  • If self-care hasn’t worked or your problem is more serious, contact your GP practice (or NHS 111 when the practice is closed) so the right appointment can be booked based on your symptoms. This reduces the need to travel to walk-in services that might not be suitable or have long waiting times.
  • You should only use 999 or go to the emergency department in a life or limb-threatening emergency. If you go to the emergency department and it isn’t the right place for you, you may be asked to use another service off-site instead. If it isn’t life threatening, you are advised to use your GP practice or NHS 111 before setting out.
Self-care
NHS 111

Digital first, where you can

  • The NHS is introducing more and more digital and online ways to use the NHS – for appointments, medication and information. We know this won’t be suitable for everyone, but where you can, we ask that you consider whether there is a digital option you can use, first. This will free up traditional methods of using the NHS, for example telephone lines, for people who aren’t able to use digital options.
  • Consider whether you could contact your practice using the form on your practice’s website or the NHS App, rather than by telephone.
  • If you need to contact your practice but you don’t need an appointment, if possible, try ringing outside of the busier times – avoid calling first thing in the morning. You can also use the NHS App or your practice’s website to get in touch.
  • If you no longer need your appointment, please cancel it so it can be made available to other patients. You can do this using the form on your practice’s website, the NHS App or by telephone.
  • It might be more convenient for you to have your appointment via telephone or video rather than face-to-face.
NHS App
Appointments and contacting your practice

The practice team

  • When you contact your GP practice for an appointment, the receptionist might ask you to tell them a bit more about why you are calling. This is so they can make an appointment for you with the most appropriate person.
  • Receptionists are trained to arrange an appointment with the most appropriate member of the practice team to ensure you are seen in a timely manner.
  • Members of the practice team work closely together so you may not need to see a GP.
  • You will not usually need to see the same GP each time, because your medical record can be seen by every professional in your GP practice. If you really need to see a particular GP, it might take longer before you can get an appointment with them.
  • If you need to be seen on the same day your practice can recommend an appropriate appointment – at the practice, a pharmacy or an urgent treatment centre. During evenings, weekends and bank holidays the appointment could be at an urgent care centre or another GP practice or health centre.
The practice team
Same-day appointments

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