Using your GP practice
Appointments at your GP practice
If you do need to use your GP practice, in most cases you will need to book an appointment. There are three ways to do this:
- Book an appointment online or via the NHS app
- Telephone the practice*
- Visit the practice in person if you can’t use any other methods
*Practices can get very busy on the telephone, particularly when they first open in the morning. So if it isn’t urgent, you are advised to try calling later in the day if you can.
Standard practice opening times at 8am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Appointments may also be available up to 8pm in the evening Monday to Friday and between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays. The arrangements for evenings and weekends will vary from practice to practice.
Where it is appropriate for your particular health problem, you can also request or you will be offered an appointment by telephone, secure video call or online consultation. For many people these might be more convenient than going to the practice in person. For example, to make it easier to fit in your appointment around work or family commitments.
It is worth finding out how it works at your GP practice, as there may be additional or alternative options available.
If you no longer need your appointment
If you find you no longer need your appointment contact your practice as soon as possible to let them know. You can do this by telephone, but ideally not first thing in the morning when practices are at their busiest. Even better would be to register at your practice for online services so you will be able to book and cancel appointments online at any time. You can also use the NHS app.
Appointments at other locations
Your GP practice may book an appointment for you at another location rather than seeing you themselves. This is to help everyone who needs it to get the right care for their particular health problem, as quickly as possible.
Primary care network
All practices work closely with other practices in a group known as a primary care network. There are over 20 such groups in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. By working together they can make resources go further and provide care in better ways. You may be asked to attend your appointment at another practice in your group, or you may receive your care in your own practice but from a team member from another practice.
Think Pharmacy First
Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns, and now community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.
Highly trained pharmacists can now assess and treat patients – without the need for a GP appointment or prescription – for:
- earache
- impetigo
- infected insect bites
- shingles
- sinusitis
- sore throat
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64
GP practices are also able to directly refer patients to their community pharmacist.
Community pharmacy teams are highly-skilled, qualified health professionals who have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need. Patients don’t need an appointment and private consultation rooms are available. Pharmacy teams can also signpost to other relevant local services where necessary.
Pharmacists have always helped patients, families and carers in their communities stay healthy and are well placed to offer treatment for health conditions. By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.
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