Appointments

Configure Appointment Details
1 Check your condition first

May conditions can be treated without the need to see your GP

See the NHS Health A-Z of conditions for more support and advice

2 Pharmacy and Self-Care
Pharmacy First can be used without a GP appointment and can prescribe medicines (including antibiotics) for the concerns listed, as needed. They can offer help with the following conditions:  
 
Earache or infection (Acute otitis media)*
1 to 17 years
Impetigo (skin rash)
1 year and over
Infected insect bites
1 year and over
Shingles
18 years and over
Sinusitis (sinus infection)
12 years and over
Sore throat
5 years and over
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections
Women 16-64 years

 

3 Online Request

You can submit an admin or medical query to us using our online form 

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable course of action.  This does not mean you will be made an appointment. We may choose a doctor, nurse or health professional to help you, or we may send you a link to make a routine appointment at a time that suits you. 

You will be contacted by text or phone with a response. Please ensure your contact details are up to date.  

All requests get responded to within 48hours. 

This option should NOT be used for same day appointments. 

For online sick note requests

For online prescription requests

Online requests will be open between 8am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). Outside of these hours, please contact 111 to be signposted to the appropriate service. 

 

Access the GP online appointment system

SystmOnline 

NHS APP

4. Minor illness Clinic Appointment

We have a nurse led minor illness clinic each week. Mariam Heidari is our nurse prescriber who can see patients for a whole host of conditions and can prescribe medication. 

 

Minor Illness Clinic days

Tuesday 13.30pm - 15.30pm

Thursday 10.45am - 12.30pm

Friday 10.45am - 12.30pm 

 

Conditions seen at minor illness clinic:

  • Asthma exacerbations
  • Chest infections
  • COPD exacerbations
  • Conjunctivitis (bacterial/ viral)
  • Constipation
  • Coughs, flu and cold
  • Cystitis
  • Diarrhoea and vomiting
  • Ear infections/pain
  • Eczema, skin rashes
  • Fever
  • Hay fever
  • Indigestion
  • Infected wounds
  • Minor burns
  • Nose bleeds
  • Sore throat
  • Scabies
  • Sinusitis
  • Thrush (Vaginal)
  • Tonsilitis
  • Urinary tract infections (UTI)

Exclusions 

No children under 3 years 

5. Nurse Appointments
Our nurses can deal with the following: 
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cervical Screening 
  • Coil and Implant Counselling 
  • Contraception
  • Dietary Advice
  • Dopplers
  • Dressings and Wound Care
  • Ear Syringing
  • ECGs
  • Health Checks
  • HRT
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Travel Vaccines
  • Vaccinations (Flu, Shingles, Covid, RSV, Pneumonia, B12) 
6. Routine appointments

Routine appointments are available with all GPs and Practice Nurses, although not all GPs or nurses are available every day. Appointments can book up to 3 weeks in advance for GPs and 6 weeks in advance for nurses.

 

7. Evening and weekend appointments
 

Enhanced Access – evening and weekend appointments

Enhanced Access – evening and weekend appointments. Patients can access GP services between:

Mon - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Tue - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Wed - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Thu - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Fri - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Sat - 8.00am - 5.00pm

Sun - 8.00am - 2.00pm 

 

These extra appointments are at Spring House Medical Centre (across the road from the QEII Hospital - Ascots Lane AL7 4HL).  To find out more or to book an appointment, please speak to one of our reception team or visit the following website:

Ephedra Healthcare Ltd - www.ephedrahealthcare.co.uk

It is likely that you will not see/speak to a GP or nurse from this practice at one of these appointments but the clinician you see will have full access to your records and can complete tasks as if working from our practice.  Do ask our reception team when you call if you would like one of these Enhanced Access appointments. 

When booking your appointment, you will need to give permission for your medical records to be accessed and updated.

There are also a few same day appointments on Saturday and Sunday at the Enhanced Access hub - please call 01707 294358 to book these.

If you need to cancel and re-book an Enhanced Access appointment, please contact our reception team.  When our practice is closed you can call 01707 294358 to leave a message.

 

We offer routine appointments in our extended hours clinics at Lister House Surgery on:
  • Tuesday 6.30pm – 7.30pm
  • Thursday 7.00am – 8.00am
  • Saturday (the last Saturday of the month only) 8.00am – 12.00pm

 

8. Urgent appointments

If you feel you have a problem that is urgent that cannot wait then you should advise our care navigators (receptionists) as soon as possible. Our care navigators will ask you for some information on the nature of the problem to enable the duty doctor to prioritise.  

After clinical assessment of your issue, in some cases, we may contact you to discuss the requirements of your appointment and may re-book you if it is not deemed medically necessary. 

1 problem per appointment is permitted.

9. Home visits

Home visits are reserved only for patients who are housebound or as a result of their medical condition are unable to leave the house. 

  • The decision whether a home visit is appropriate is at the discretion of the doctor who may call before visiting. 
  • If you need a home visit, call reception before 12pm. 
  • You cannot request a specific GP for a home visit.

Your GP will decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.

Your GP will arrange a home visit with the local visiting service AIHVS or a community nurse. 

Acute In House Visiting Service (AIHVS) -  is the visiting service commissioned by East & North Herts CCG on behalf of GP practices in East and North Hertfordshire. They are a team of doctors and allied health care professionals who will treat house bound patients and provide updated patient notes back to the practice. We will inform you if this is the team who will be seeing you on that day. 

10. Cancellations and late arrivals
If you need to cancel you appointment, please let us know as soon as possible by one of the following methods:
 
  • Via the NHS app
  • Via Patient Online Services (Speak to the surgery to register)
  • Via our Appointment Cancellation Form - only if the appointment is more than 24 hours away, excluding weekends and public holidays Cancellation
  • Phone the surgery 01707 283 452 
  • In person at surgery reception
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 may be removed from the Practice list.
 

Late appointments 

If you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until the next working day-except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
 
11. Out of hours
Evening and weekend appointments  
 
NHS 111
You need help now, but it’s not an emergency.
There will be someone to provide you with advice and to direct you to a clinician if it is necessary.
Urgent care Centre UTC
 
Urgent but not life threatening.
Visit an urgent care centre if: You have an urgent medical issue requiring on the day attention
12. Sick notes (select ADMIN QUERY when prompted)

Request a sick note

Why can't I get an appointment?

The situation for GP practices in the UK is critical. GP practices across the country are experiencing significant and growing strain with declining GP numbers, rising demand, struggles to recruit and retain staff and knock-on effects for patients.
 

Seeing Your Preferred Doctor

If you have a specific doctor you prefer to see please ask for them when you book your appointment.

If it is for a routine problem (such as medication review, a problem that has been present for months, or chronic illness review) then it is best to book an advanced routine appointment with your preferred doctor.

If you make a book on the day appointment for an urgent problem your preferred doctor may not be doing an urgent appointment session that day. If they are then we will try and fit you in with your preferred doctor if you ask.

If you need help with your appointment

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, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
  • If you need a chaperone
  • If you need an interpreter
  • If you have any other access or communication needs

Text Reminder Service

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

To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.

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

SMS Reminder Form