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Your local GP practice and what they can offer you

Advice and Information - 10 February 2022

The pandemic has put extra strain on many things, including doctor’s surgeries, which means you may have waited longer than normal to see your doctor or found it difficult to get a face-to-face appointment.
My local practice GP

How to book an appointment with your local GP?

You can book an appointment at your GP practice by: 

  • The NHS app
  • Telephone
  • GP practice website

Your GP surgery may only make some of their appointments available to book online. Online appointments may become available at a certain time of day.

My Local Practice continues to ...

Types of appointments: 

GP's across North Yorkshire have had to adapt significantly over the last 12 months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that there is now a variety of ways medical professionals can see patients. For example:

  • In-person appointment
  • Telephone appointment
  • Online consultation
  • By text message

This means that staff has the ability to see as many people as possible. 

A doctor will call you in for a face-to-face consultation if they feel they can't confidently make a diagnosis without seeing you. If your doctor says they don't need to see you but you think they should ask them to explain why they feel they can safely make a diagnosis and treat you.

If you are still unhappy, the Patients Association recommends you speak to the practice manager in the first instance to discuss how your preference can be respected. If you need more advice you can call their free helpline on 0800 345 7115.

Register for GP online services

If you can’t get an appointment with your GP by phone, you might get a quicker response by submitting your query online. Most GP practices offer a website or app where you can request appointments, submit questions, or order prescriptions. Visit your GP’s website to find out what online services your surgery offers, and to get started.

Try to be clear and descriptive when filling in an online consultation form. Say how urgent your issue is and if you need a face-to-face appointment. Be specific if there is something that you are worried about. This will help your doctor to prioritise your request and respond accordingly.

Roles in the GP practice:

GP practices are full of expertise with various people working to help as many people as possible. Some of the different roles in a GP practice include: 

Unfortunately, every practice is different, and not every GP will have the same set of healthcare professionals available. If you would like to find out more information, we would recommend you speak with your GP practice. 

We understand the frustration at not being able to see a specific GP, however, there are other healthcare professionals who can help you. 

We encourage people to take the opportunity to see or speak to the person/persons recommended to them, even if this isn't a specific GP.

All those working in the GP practices across North Yorkshire are trained, and working hard to ensure people get the correct help and support. 

If you have visited your GP recently or had an appointment online, get in touch and share your experience.

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