Appointments

Appointment information

Our aim is to ensure we provide safe, quality care to all our patients. We have a range of professions at the surgery with GPs, advanced clinical practitioner, nurses, health care assistants, pharmacists, physiotherapists and social prescribers.

All consultations are by appointment only. Appointments can be made in person, by telephone or online. Please note that all calls incoming and outgoing from the practice may be recorded for quality and safety purposes.

To help us provide you with the best possible care, we ask that you give as much information as you are able, whether this be on the telephone or online, in order for us to assess clinical priority and ensure that you see the correct professional at first contact. Our Patient Advisors are trained to deal with your personal details in a sympathetic and confidential manner so please help us to help you by giving the required information when asked.

We have a range of appointments available across our three surgery sites (Leeds Road, Pannal and Spofforth) as well as extended access appointments in the evenings and weekends at the YHN Harrogate Hub at Grove Park Court (just off Skipton Road).

How to contact us using our online consultation portal

You can use our online consultation portal to submit admin requests (such as sick notes, forms/medicals) as well as medical requests. Please give as much specific and detailed information as you can and answer all questions fully. Please explain any symptoms, what is concerning you and what help you are seeking for. Giving us full and detailed information helps us give you accurate, appropriate advice back. Your consultation will be read and responded to by a member of the team within 3 working days; please DO NOT use this form for requests that are more urgent than this but instead use NHS 111 online, call 111 or call the surgery on 01423 566636 (opening hours Mon-Fri 8am-6pm) .

Your online consultation will be read and triaged by a GP. We can then respond back to you with advice if appropriate, signpost you to other appropriate services or information or make appointment arrangements for you. If an appointment is required, we may book this directly for you or send you a customised booking link allowing you to book into an appointment with the correct clinical professional at a time and date of your choosing.

Routine appointments

Requests for routine appointments can be taken via telephone by our patient advisor team, who are trained as care co-ordinators, to direct you to the most appropriate appointment for your needs.

  • request an appointment online using Accurx Monday to Friday during opening hours. We will respond within 48 working hours but usually the following working day.
  • phone us Monday to Friday between the hours of 11am and 12 noon or 2pm and 6pm when our routine appointments are released.
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday during opening hours
  • use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination
  • evening or weekend appointments are available on request by calling the surgery.

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.

Urgent appointments

If you feel you need help more urgently than the next available routine appointment (but it is not medically urgent for same day care) then you may be asked by our patient advisors to put your request through our online consultation portal. If you are unable to access this, our patient advisors can do this on your behalf whilst you are on the phone.

Same day urgent care

Same day urgent care is appropriate for patients who have become suddenly unwell or experienced a sudden deterioration in a previous condition. For access to our same day urgent care triage and appointments please call reception on 01423 566636 and ask to speak to our urgent duty team, please call before 10:30am if at all possible so that we can best plan and manage this on the day workload and deal with your and fellow patients in a timely manner. The duty team is comprised of both GPs and ACPs (advanced care practitioners), our patient advisors will take your details and some basic information before a clinician calls you back to assess and triage. If a face-to-face appointment is required this will then be arranged for you.

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;

Chest pain

Severe abdominal pain

Vomiting blood

Breathlessness

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.

Appointments by phone, can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

To cancel your appointment:

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 may phone you to understand what you need and you may be called prior to the individual clinician visiting.

To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you phone the practice as soon before 10:30am.

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.

Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks


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.