Appointments

The quickest way to request an appointment is online using Rapid Health.

Rapid Health allows you to:

✔ Avoid waiting in a phone queue
✔ Request help online
✔ Answer a few simple questions about your problem
✔ Book an appointment directly, where appropriate

👉 Request an Appointment with Rapid Health

You'll be asked a few questions about your problem so we can make sure you are directed to the most appropriate care.

In many cases, you will be able to book an appointment directly with the most appropriate member of our clinical team.

If your request needs to be reviewed first, it will be sent to the practice and we will contact you as soon as possible.

What Happens Next?

Depending on your problem and appointment availability, you will either:

• Be offered an appointment to book directly
• Have your request reviewed by a doctor or another appropriate member of the clinical team

Appointments may take place face to face, by telephone, or by video. If you have a video appointment, we will send you simple instructions on how to join. Where possible, we encourage you to see the same clinician for ongoing problems. This helps provide continuity of care.

⚠️Please do not use Rapid Health for medical emergencies. If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 📞 999 immediately.

Prefer to Call Us?

You can still contact us by telephone on 📞 01773 713201.

Our reception team will ask you the same questions that appear in Rapid Health and will complete the request on your behalf.

Using Rapid Health online is usually the quickest way to access care.

Routine Nurse Appointments

Some appointments are not booked through Rapid Health and should continue to be arranged through reception, or by submitting a question via the 'Questions and Admin Requests' form in Rapid Health.

This includes:

• Long-term condition reviews
• Other routine nurse appointments

Please contact reception if you need one of these services or complete a 'Questions and Admin Request' via Rapid and a member of our team will call you back or send you a direct booking link to help you book an appointment.

Out of Hours Appointments

When the practice is closed:

• Call 📞  111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for urgent advice.

• Call 📞  999 in life-threatening emergencies.

Evening & Weekend Appointments

We work with Amber Valley Health (AVH) so you can now book appointments at the Amber Valley Health Hub:

• Mon to Fri: 6:15pm to 8:00pm

• Sat to Sun: 8:45am to 11:45am

Appointments are provided by GPs and staff from local AVH practices. To book, call our reception on 📞 01773 713201.

The Amber Valley Health Hub is located at Church Farm Primary Care Centre, Ripley DE5 3TH

More info: Amber Valley Health

Change or Cancel Your Appointment

If you cannot come to your appointment, please tell us as soon as possible so we can offer it to another patient.

You can cancel or change an appointment by:

• Using the NHS App

• Following the instructions in your appointment text reminder

• Calling us on 📞 01773 713201

• Speaking to reception in person

If patients miss appointments without telling us (DNA – Did Not Attend), we may contact them. If this happens often, we may take them off our patient list under our DNA policy.

Home Visits

If you need a home visit, please call us on 📞 01773 713201 before 11:00am where possible.

Home visits are only for patients who are housebound or too ill to come to the practice. The duty doctor will review your request and decide if a visit is needed and how urgently.

You may also be visited by community nurses (if referred by your GP), health visitors (for new babies and young children), or the Amber Valley Health Home Visiting Service, who provide care on behalf of local practices.

How Pharmacies Can Help

Under the Pharmacy First scheme, your local pharmacist can treat and advise on common conditions, meaning you don’t need to see a GP for these common problems:

• Earache (ages 1–17)

• Impetigo

• Infected insect bites

• Shingles

• Sinusitis

• Sore throat

• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women 16–64)

No appointment is needed — just visit your local pharmacy. Many are open late and at weekends.

Find a pharmacy near you

Mental Health Support

If you need support with your mental health, you can submit a request through Rapid Health in the same way as any other health concern. Your request will be directed to the most appropriate member of our team.

⚠️ If you ever feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, call 📞 999. For urgent but not life-threatening mental health support, call 📞 111.