The practice offers appointments with a range of health professionals including a GP, nurse, clinical pharmacist or physiotherapist, depending on your needs. All requests for appointments are reviewed by a GP who will assess how soon you need to be seen and choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.
Appointments may be face to face or over the phone.
You can request an appointment by:
- Completing an online form
We will usually respond within 24 hours when we are open. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm - Phone
If you are unable to submit an online form, please call the practice and a receptionist will help you and complete the form on your behalf. Our phones lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm - Visiting the surgery and speak with a receptionist
We have an iPad in the waiting area where you can complete an online form or you can request a paper copy of the form at the front desk. This may be helpful for those who do not have internet access at home. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm
Once we have received your online form and the GP has made their assessment, if an appointment is required you will either receive a text with a self-booking link to book your own appointment or a telephone call from the reception team to book you in.
Your Appointment
However you choose to contact us we may offer you a consultation:
- By phone
- Face-to-face at the surgery
The form will ask you:
- If there’s a specific doctor, nurse or another health professional you would prefer to respond
- If you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone or face-to-face
- If you need an interpreter
- If you have any other access or communication needs.
Please ensure you select any of the above that apply to you so we are able to help you.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
If you are unable to attend your appointment for any reason, or the health problem for which you booked your appointment has cleared up, please remember to cancel your appointment.
You can telephone the practice directly and speak to a receptionist to cancel your appointment. You can also respond to your appointment reminder text message which gives the option of replying via a link.
Chaperones
We are committed to maintaining professional standards. For certain examinations during consultations an impartial observer, called a chaperone, will be required.
This impartial observer will be a practice Nurse, Health Care Assistant or chaperone trained receptionist who is familiar with the procedure and be available to reassure and raise any concerns on your behalf. If a chaperone is unavailable at the time of your consultation, then your examination may be re-scheduled for another time.
You are free to decline any examination or chose an alternative examiner or chaperone. You may also request a chaperone for any examination or consultation if one is not offered to you. The GP may not undertake an examination if a chaperone is declined.
The role of a chaperone:
- Maintains professional boundaries during intimate examinations.
- Acknowledges a patient’s vulnerability.
- Provides emotional comfort and reassurance.
- Assists in the examination.
- Assists with undressing patients, if required.
When we are closed
NHS 111
If you are very unwell and you cannot wait until the surgery has opened, please call NHS 111 by dialling 111, and they will be able to advise on the care that you need. They can organise emergency services or an ambulance if needed. The NHS 111 is staffed by fully trained advisers supported by experienced nurses, pharmacists, and doctors. The NHS 111 service is available if you require urgent medical help, but it is not a life-threatening situation.
Late Night Pharmacies
As qualified healthcare professionals, community pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.
All pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines. They are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
You can find out your nearest open pharmacy on the NHS.uk website. Once you have searched for the location, you can select ‘only show pharmacies open now’ if you are searching outside of usual business hours.
Hounslow Treatment Care Centre
Hounslow Treatment Care Centre is staffed by experienced GPs, nurses, emergency care practitioners, healthcare assistants and other healthcare practitioners.
This is an urgent treatment service and should only be used if you require urgent medical attention and cannot be seen by your registered GP.
The centre treats minor injuries and illnesses that require urgent treatment. On arrival at the urgent care centre you will be assessed and treated in order of the priority of your condition.
If your condition is urgent and requires immediate attention, you will be seen by an appropriate clinician in the Urgent Care Centre.
If your condition is not urgent or immediate, you will be referred back to your GP
If appropriate and necessary you will be referred to the Emergency Department which is located next to the Urgent Care Centre.
You can find out more information and download a patient leaflet on the Hounslow and Richmond Community