Appointments

 

For non-urgent issues, please follow the guidelines below and choose the right service. An appointment may not be necessary.

This will help us to be more efficient by making an appointment available to you when you need it the most.

Book an Appointment

Check your condition first

Many conditions can be dealt with without the need to see your GP.

 

You can try a local pharmacy for advice about a range of conditions and we also have lots of self help information. Please try this advice before contacting the Practice.

The NHS Symptom Checker will also give you advice on who to see 

Urgent appointments

Requests for urgent appointments are best made using our AccuRx Online Request Form which cuts out the need to wait on the phone. You can still of course wait on the phone, or come into the practice. All requests go straight through to our Care Co-Ordinator team and then the Duty Doctor who will reply to you as quickly as possible the same day. These issues may be dealt with by the Duty Doctor through a text without the need of an appointment or it could be a phone call. If the Duty Doctor thinks you need seeing that day, the care navigators will contact you and book you in to an on the day slot. The face to face appointments can be made with a GP, a GP registrar, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, a PA (physician associate), an FCP (first contact practitioner) or a medical student, all of which work closely with an experienced supervising GP.

Book a Routine Appointment

These pre-booked appointments allow you to see the doctor of your choice, who is usually best placed to deal with more complex or continuing problems.

You may have to wait a few days to see your chosen GP, but we do everything possible to keep this to a minimum.

Appointments with the doctors and nurses and for the various clinics may be booked:

 

Text Reminder Service

We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.

To receive this service, please provide your consent via our secure online form

Please remember to update your details with us when you change your name, address, telephone numbers and email address.

Extended Practice Opening Hours

Extended hours are run with booked appointments:

  • Monday from 18:30 - 20:15
  • Thursday from 18:30 – 20:15

We are also open to collect prescriptions at these times. 

Sickness Certificates (Fit Notes)

Travel Vaccinations

Home Visits

If you require a home visit, please telephone the surgery before 10:00 if possible.

Home visits are for genuinely house bound patients who are too ill to come to the surgery. The Duty Doctor will usually call you back to assess the need for a home visit - please ensure you or another responsible person can answer the telephone and deal with the questions asked.

If you have a dog, please make sure you arrange to either put it outside or secure in another room, when the health professional visits you.

Extended access appointments

Enhanced Access Service

GP, ANP, Nurse and Healthcare Assistant Appointments Available in YOUR area

The Enhanced Access Service in Rossendale is held at the Rossendale Health Centre (Inside Ilex View Practice) as well as Bacup Health Centre (Inside Irwell Medical Practice)

The service is held at:

Rossendale Health Centre
  • 5pm to 8:45pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Bacup Health Centre
  • 5pm to 8:45pm on Mondays and Thursdays

Appointments within this service are both Face to Face and Remote (Telephone/Video Call).

These appointments can be with either:

  • GP
  • ANP
  • Practice Nurse
  • Health Care Assistant

These clinicians have access to your GP Practice record, to enable them to see all results, letters and consultations to enable a continuity of care during your appointment with the Enhanced Access Service.

Contact your GP Practice to find out more information about the Enhanced Access Appointments held by East Lancashire Alliance

Life Threatening - Go to A&E

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

 
  • you or someone you know needs immediate help
  • you have seriously harmed yourself - for example, by taking a drug overdose

A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency.

Find your nearest A&E

How to Cancel an Appointment

It is important that you inform the reception staff if you are unable to attend your appointment, this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters maybe removed from the list.

 

Late For Your Appointment

Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen, an alternative appointment may be offered at a later time/date - except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Chaperones

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 Care co-ordinator know) or at any time during the consultation.

 

Interpreter

If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the Care co-ordinator and they will arrange this for you.

When requesting an appointment

When requesting an appointment and sending the triage form back, we will be in contact on the same day with an outcome, whether this be an appointment on the day or a routine appointment.
Depending on the triage request, you will be offered an appointment with either of the following:

  • GP
  • GP ST3/2 Registrars (These are GPs who are nearing the end of their training on placement here with us)
  • Physician Associate (This is someone who is medically trained and is working alongside the GP providing medical care)
  • Physiotherapist
  • Mental Health Practitioner

See all of our services and healthcare professionals that can support you