How to request an appointment

Appointments can be conducted in person, by telephone or online triage. The practice employs and collaborates with a range of clinicians who can help you with your healthcare needs.

Our team is trained to direct you to the most appropriate clinician for your presenting problem, ensuring that you receive the best care possible.

N.B. You can book, view, amend, cancel and print appointments with an online services account.

General Practitioner (GP)

GP’s treat all common medical conditions and refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment.

You can request advice from a GP by:

  • Using our KLINIK Online Consultation Service (learn more here*insert link to tile*)
  • Using the NHS app to book an appointment.
  • Contacting reception to request an appointment with our extended access service.
  • Contacting reception to request a pre-bookable appointment.
  • Contacting reception Mon to Fri from 8:00 am to request a same-day appointment.

GP Registrar

We often have GP Registrars attached to our practice for general practice training as we are a training practice. A GP Registrar is a fully qualified doctor undertaking further training in order to practice as a GP.

You can request advice from a GP Registrar by:

  • Using our KLINIK Online Consultation Service (learn more here*insert link to tile*)
  • Using the NHS app to book an appointment.
  • Contacting reception to request a pre-bookable appointment.
  • Contacting reception Mon to Fri from 8:00 am to request a same-day appointment.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)

ANP’s are able to assess the history of a patients and interpret the results of different investigations in order to make a diagnosis, and plan and deliver care. They are often able to substitute for GPs, which can help to alleviate pressures within primary care teams. All fully qualified ANP’s can prescribe medication for any condition within their competence.

You can request advice from an ANP by:

  • Using our KLINIK Online Consultation Service (learn more here*insert link to tile*)
  • Using the NHS app to book an appointment.
  • Contacting reception to request an appointment with our extended access service.
  • Contacting reception to request a pre-bookable appointment.
  • Contacting reception Mon to Fri from 8:00 am to request a same-day appointment.

Physician Associate (PA)

PA’s work within a defined scope of practice and limits of competence. They take medical histories from patients; carry out physical examinations; see patients with undifferentiated diagnoses; see patients with long-term chronic conditions; formulate differential diagnoses and management plans; perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; develop and deliver appropriate treatment and management plans; request and interpret diagnostic studies and provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.

You can request advice from a PA by:

  • Using our KLINIK Online Consultation Service (learn more here*insert link to tile*)
  • Using the NHS app to book an appointment.
  • Contacting reception to request a pre-bookable appointment.
  • Contacting reception Mon to Fri from 8:00 am to request a same-day appointment.

Paramedic

Paramedic specialists in primary or urgent care settings conduct clinical assessments and develop a clinical impression or diagnosis that will ensure most effective management and referral if needed. This includes identifying the need for and requesting appropriate investigations and tests. Paramedics who have successfully completed an independent prescribing course may prescribe any licensed medicine.

You can request advice from a Paramedic by:

  • Using our KLINIK Online Consultation Service (learn more here*insert link to tile*)
  • Using the NHS app to book an appointment.
  • Contacting reception to request a pre-bookable appointment.
  • Contacting reception Mon to Fri from 8:00 am to request a same-day appointment.

Clinical Pharmacist

The clinical pharmacist can check all your medicines and talk to you about how the medicines are working for you.

You can request advice from a clinical pharmacist by:

First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP)

FCPs are qualified autonomous clinical practitioners who can assess, diagnose, treat and manage musculoskeletal (MSK) problems and undifferentiated conditions and – where appropriate – discharge a person without a medical referral.

You can request advice from an FCP by:

Social Prescriber

Social prescribing is a key component of Universal Personalised Care. It is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.

You can self-refer to the Social Prescribing Service by:

Health & Wellbeing Coach

A health and wellbeing coach can support you to improve how you manage your physical and mental health. They work with you through a series of sessions to help achieve your personalised health and care plan goals, offering support and advice about diet and lifestyle.

An administrative or clinical member of staff can refer you to our Health & Wellbeing Coach. You can let us know if you are interested by:

Practice Nurse

Practice nurses are can be responsible for obtaining blood samples; electrocardiograms (ECGs); minor and complex wound management including leg ulcers; travel health advice and vaccinations; child immunisations and advice; family planning & women’s health including cervical smears; men’s health screening; sexual health services; smoking cessation; screening and helping patients to manage long term conditions.

You can request advice from a Practice Nurse by:

Health Care Assistant (HCA)

HCAs are typically responsible for observing, monitoring, and recording patients’ conditions. Communication with patients, relatives, and carers including providing valuable health promotion; education and health checks.

You can request advice from a HCA by:

Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists are responsible for taking blood samples from patients which are examined in a laboratory and the results can be used to quickly diagnose diseases and conditions.

All blood tests must be requested by a clinician.

If you are 16 years or older, you can schedule a blood test with one of our phlebotomists by:

  • Contacting reception to request a pre-bookable appointment.

Blood tests can also be booked at Gilbert Hitchcock House in Bedford by:

  • Calling 01234 607075
  • Registering and booking an appointment online at www.bedford.sangix.co.uk (you will need to collect a blood test request form from reception and take this with you to your appointment)

To book an appointment for a blood test for a child aged under 16 years: