There are many ways to seek advice from a Healthcare Professional – please select the most appropriate option:
Care Navigation
Care Navigation is designed to connect patients directly to the most appropriate service for help or advice.
Before calling the surgery for an appointment, check the below criteria as you may be eligible to speak directly to one of these services:
Pharmacy First
The new Pharmacy First service, launched 31st January 2024, adds to the existing consultation service and enables community pharmacies to complete episodes of care for 7 common conditions following defined clinical pathways. The consultation service enables patients to contact their community pharmacy directly for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply.
Click the attachment below for a full list of criteria:
MECS (Minor Eye Condition Service)
The team provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye problems. It is an NHS service provided by accredited optometrists (also commonly called opticians). The service is for people of all ages. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult. You do not need a GP referral to use this service.
Click the attachment below for a full list of criteria:
Physiotherapy
The team offers physiotherapy assessment, advice, education, treatment, supervised 1:1 exercises, group exercise classes and self-management strategies for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems. These include neck, back, knee and shoulder conditions, as well as other muscle or joint problems such as strains and arthritis.
To self refer for Physiotherapy, visit this link: Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (MSK): Herts and Essex Community Hospital | Self-Referral Link
Minor Injuries Unit
This is a ‘walk-in’ service that can be used by both adults and children over two years old. You do not have to be registered with a GP to receive treatment.
Click the attachment below for a full list of criteria:
NHS 111
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to make it easier and quicker for patients to get the right advice or treatment they need, be that for their physical or mental health.
Go online to 111.nhs.uk (for assessment of people aged 5 and over only) or call 111 for free from a landline or mobile phone.
Mental Wellbeing
There are a number of resources available to support patients with their mental health. Click the attachment below for contact details and self-referral links to wellbeing services:
If you do feel suicidal or feel you’re in a crisis please call 03007770707.
GP appointments
- For an on the day appointment the phone lines open at 8:00am. Please note when calling the surgery the reception staff will be asking why an on the day appointment is required as these appointments should be for urgent matters that cannot wait.
- For routine appointments please complete an online consultation using accuRx Online.
Available 8am – 8pm
Our Online Consulting platform allows you:
- To seek self-help information from the NHS, through our surgery website. Services include self-help information, advice or help from local services which may be appropriate for your condition, such as self-referral services or help from your local pharmacy.
- To seek medical advice online from Central Surgery for your condition.
- To seek general or administrative advice (e.g. for insurance forms, fit-notes, referrals, secure messaging to admin and reception staff, etc).
- Request repeat medication. We always recommend patients to use the NHS APP or Patient Online Services to request repeat medications but when this is not possible (e.g. requesting medications on behalf of children), you can use our Online Consulting form. For more details on our prescription process click here.
This short online form is the quickest and simplest way for the majority of our patients to access or clinical team for assistance. Our practice phone lines remain open for anyone with accessibility needs who might find difficulty completing this form 01279 603 180 8am – 6:30pm, Monday – Friday.
Nurse/HCA appointments
To book a nurse or healthcare assistant appointment please phone after 10:00am if possible.
Home visits
If you need a home visit please phone before 10:00am