While you can phone us to make an appointment, doing it online is quick and helps free phone lines for those patients who cannot use the web. At the Elm Practice we use an online portal called “Patient Access” to let you book appointments.
When to phone
- If you would like to book one of our evening slots on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday from 6:30pm-8:00pm you will need to phone (see below).
- If you have an urgent medical problem see the Duty Doctor service below.
- We offer longer appointments for patients who need more time to review their health. These can be with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist and can be for doing a long-term condition review, medication review and learning disability review – or if you need an interpreter. Please ask our staff about how to book these.
Using Patient access for appointments
There are two ways of using Patient Access. If you just want to use it to book an appointment you can ckick the button below
- But if this is your first time using Patient Access You will need to complete a simple registration form before booking
Using Patient Access for more
You can so use Patient Access for more, including:
- Managing your medication and repeat prescriptions
- Seeing you test results
- Your allergies
- Your immunisation record
Because this information is private and medically sensitive, you will need to fill in a longer registration form from us first.
Or book an appointment by telephone
You can call us on 0203 9280 999
The office is open 8am-6:30pm during weekdays and closed at the weekend. Our phone lines tend to be busiest first thing in the morning from 8am.
The duty doctor service – for when you have an URGENT medical problem
Available 8am – 6.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY (excluding bank holidays)
DUTY DOCTOR SERVICE – FOR WHEN YOU HAVE AN URGENT MEDICAL PROBLEM
Available 8am – 6.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY (excluding bank holidays)
- Phone the surgery and explain to reception that you have an urgent problem
- Reception can then put you on the Duty Doctor list
- The Duty Doctor will ring you back within 2 hours
- The Duty Doctor will decide with you what you need, which could be:
- Advice over the phone
- An appointment at the surgery
- A home visit if you are really not well
- A referral to another service
This service offers you quick access to your GP practice, where they know you and have your full medical record. We recommend this service instead of going to A&E at the hospital.
Are our usual hours difficult for you?
The Elm Practice can also book an appointment for you at an ‘Extended Access Hub’ and some appointments are available until 8pm on weekdays and at weekends at different GP practices in City & Hackney to see a Doctor, Nurse or HCA. These extended-hours appointments need to be requested by phone by ringing our reception during normal opening hours.
These include appointments for routine smear tests and nurse appointments.
These appointments do not take place here, but at one of the practices listed below. We will make sure that staff at this practice have access to your medical records to ensure that you receive the best possible care and support.
Home Visits
Patients too ill to attend the surgery – please ring the surgery to request a home visit by the doctor.
If you need an interpreter
If English is not your first language and you feel you may need help talking with us, let us know and we will arrange for an interpretator.
Please arrive on time
Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you will be offered another appointment on a different day. Patients who need to be seen as an emergency should contact us to be booked into morning surgery. Regretfully we are now unable to see anyone without an appointment during evening surgery, however if your problem is urgent please telephone us for advice.
Cancelling Appointments
If you have an appointment that you are unable to attend please call and cancel your appointment at least 1 hour before the appointment time we can then offer the appointment to someone else.
