Appointments

We recommend patients use eConsult for non-urgent queries including repeat prescriptions and medical certificate requests, medication queries and hospital referrals.

The system will send details to our GPs and staff and we can respond via a one way message.

We are happy to see urgent cases the same day but cannot guarantee that you will see the doctor of your choice.

Telephone from 8am:

• Holbrook Appointments: 01473 328263
• Shotley Appointments: 01473 787435

To request a routine appointment:

• phone us on Monday to Friday from 8am
  • Holbrook: 01473 328263
  • Shotley: 01473 787435
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am
• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App

**please specify in the reason for the appointment if you would like a telephone call, rather than a face to face appointment, if you do not specify, the Clinician will presume it is a face to face appointment and expect you in Surgery at the allocated time**

Some of our Doctors and Nurses work at both Holbrook and Shotley surgeries.

When you make an appointment face to face with our receptionists or by phone, please make sure you note at which surgery your appointment has been made.

Suffolk GP+ is for people who need a Doctor or Nurse appointment and are unable to see their Clinician during normal opening GP hours. Appointments can be made in advance via Reception during our usual opening hours.

The service is staffed by local Suffolk GPs and Nurse Practitioners in Ipswich, Felixtowe, Stowmarket and more, it is an NHS service delivered by the Suffolk GP Federation. You will be given a booked appointment and will be seen by a suitable local GP or nurse who will have access to your medical records (once consent is given).

Evening and weekend appointments

Evening and weekend Appointments can be made until 8pm on weekdays and between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays.

You will be able to discuss your health concern with a GP, nurse or other health professional and also make routine appointments for vaccinations, health checks and screenings.

Please note, Patients cannot self refer, please book with the Reception team.

Visit the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex website to learn more about the different health care professionals working in GP surgeries: suffolkandnortheastessex.icb.nhs.uk/gp-roles

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception as early as possible.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Our visiting clinican will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the visiting clinician to schedule house calls, they will often telephone you to assess the need before attending.

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

A Structured Medication Review takes place with a Clinical Pharmacist and is a comprehensive review of your medications to ensure they are prescribed safely and appropriately, as well as confirming that medicines you have been taking for a long time are all still necessary. The Clinical Pharmacist will discuss your medicines with you and answer any questions or concerns you may have.  

 There are several reasons why you may have been offered this review. These include but are not limited to:

• You are taking a large number of different medicines
• You are taking medicines which are frequently associated with medication errors
• You are taking medicines which can be addictive
• You have recently been discharged from hospital

Please allow up to 40 minutes for this appointment.  If your appointment is face to face, please bring your medicines with you. You may wish to have a family member, friend or carer with you.

However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:

• by phone
• face to face at the surgery
• on a video call
• by text or email

Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

To cancel your appointment:

• phone us Monday to Friday from 8am:
  • Holbrook: 01473 328263
  • Shotley: 01473 787435

Cancel your appointment online, via the NHS App or SystmOnline Service.

If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or Call 111.

NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.

Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

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 or by video call 
• if you need an interpreter
• if you have any other access or communication needs