Plan with Pre-Bookable Appointments

We are pleased to announce that recently the surgery has been offering pre-bookable GP appointments. This change is designed to make accessing healthcare more convenient and to help you maintain continuity of care with your preferred GP.

 We understand that demand for our services is high, and we are working hard to ensure a balance between urgent care and ongoing support. Our updated system is here to help you get the care you need while enabling the practice to serve everyone as effectively as possible.

What’s New?

Plan with Pre-Bookable Appointments

  • More Flexibility: You can now book appointments up to six weeks in advance for non-urgent health concerns.

Your Appointment, Your Way

  • Face-to-Face or Telephone: Choose between an in-person visit or the convenience of a telephone consultation. In many cases, a phone call with the GP may be sufficient and could be offered as a first option.
  • Continuity of Care: Wherever possible, we will book you with your preferred GP to ensure a consistent and trusted relationship.

A Balanced Approach to Availability

  • Pre-Bookable vs. Same-Day Slots: Same-day appointments remain available for urgent needs, while pre-bookable appointments allow for better planning and access for non-urgent issues.

How to Book Your Appointment

Booking an appointment is straightforward. Simply choose the method that works best for you:

  • By Phone: Call our reception team for assistance.
  • Online Requests: Submit your request online, and we will confirm your booking.
  • In Person: Visit our reception team at School Lane Surgery or the Healthy Living Centre.

Supporting Us to Serve You Better

We are committed to providing the best possible care for all our patients. You can support us in the following ways:

 Use the Right Service for Your Needs

For minor health concerns, consider Pharmacy First. Your local pharmacist can offer expert advice and treatment for many conditions without delay, helping to keep GP appointments available for more complex or urgent cases. We may suggest this service when appropriate. Pharmacy First can assist with the following seven common conditions:

  • Acute otitis media (middle ear infection)
  • Impetigo
  • Infected insect bites
  • Shingles
  • Sinusitis
  • Sore throat
  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infections

Other healthcare professionals, such as mental health workers, social prescribers, and physiotherapists, are also available to address specific needs here at School Lane Surgery and are best placed to help you rather than a GP.

For self-care and advice on conditions that often improve on their own or with over-the-counter treatments, we recommend these trusted resources:

 

  • NHS 111 Online: Visit 111 Online for quick guidance on a wide range of conditions.
  • NHS 111: Call for advice and guidance if you are unsure.
  • Just One Norfolk: For support with childhood illnesses, visit Just One Norfolk or call 0300 300 0123.

Choosing self-care or alternative services when suitable helps ensure that GP appointments are available for those with urgent or complex needs.

 

Understanding Capacity and Demand

As a surgery, we aim to be as clear and transparent as possible. The reality is that demand often exceeds supply, meaning there may be a wait for pre-bookable appointments.

This is not unique to School Lane Surgery; it reflects broader challenges across the healthcare system after years of underfunding and a growing population. We want to reassure you that we maximise every opportunity to improve efficiency and offer as many appointments as possible, in line with British Medical Association (BMA) guidance.

We are actively trying to recruit more GPs and continually reviewing our appointment system to keep wait times to a minimum. You can help by letting us know if you no longer need an appointment, enabling us to offer it to another patient. This small step helps us provide efficient care for everyone.

 

Moving Forwards

This new system is designed to offer greater flexibility while improving the quality and continuity of your care. We believe this is a positive step towards providing the best possible care for all our patients and thank you for your continued support.