How to book a routine appointment

Doctors’ appointments are available to book up to five weeks in advance and nurses’ appointments up to one year in advance.  If you no longer need an appointment, please cancel it so that it can be offered to someone else.

We offer a choice of ways to book or cancel appointments at times to suit you.  You can do any of the following:

1. Speak to a receptionist by telephone – call 01205 362556 and select option 2.  Our lines are open between 0800-1830hrs Monday to Friday*, but are normally busiest in the mornings.
2. Use our automated telephone service (Patient Partner) – call 01205 362556 and select option 1.  This is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  It can be used to book an appointment with a GP or to check or cancel an appointment with either doctors or nurses.  We have recently simplified the options for this.
3. Book on the internet using SystmOnline – you need to register to use this service.  Please bring photographic identification to our receptionists who will issue you with a username and password.  Once you have registered, you can book appointments with a GP or check or cancel appointments with either doctors or nurses.  This is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.                                                Click here to book/cancel your appointment online
4. Call in to reception in person.  Receptionists are available between 0800-2000hrs on Mondays and Tuesdays and between 0800-1830hrs on Wednesdays, Thursdays* and Fridays.

We also offer telephone consultations with our doctors and nurses – please call 01205 362556 and select option 2* to speak to a receptionist to book one of these. 

Because our nurses offer so many different services which need varying lengths of appointments, you can only book these by speaking directly with a receptionist by telephone or in person.  Our receptionists are trained to ask you questions to ensure you are booked the most appropriate nursing appointment.

Choice of GP

Whilst we try to offer you an appointment with your preferred GP, it may not always be possible.  When our doctors are on holiday or otherwise absent we may employ a locum to cover their surgeries.  Locum GPs are fully qualified and registered with NHS Lincolnshire.

Emergency appointments

Health needs are not always predictable and sometimes you may need to see a doctor before the next routinely available appointment.  If you have a health problem which is serious and has developed suddenly please call 01205 362556 option 2 and tell the receptionist who will take your details and one of our doctors will call you back as soon as possible.  This is known as triage. 

When the doctor calls you back, he or she will assess whether they need to see you and if so, how quickly.  If they need to see you, they will book an appointment for you, which is usually for that same day.  This ensures that people with the most urgent medical needs are dealt with fastest.  We believe this is a much more effective and fair method than sit and wait surgeries. 

All patients who have a sudden and serious problem will have a consultation with a GP on that day (by telephone or face to face).

Home visits

Requests for home visits should be made by 1000hrs by telephoning 01205 362556 (option 2) . Home visits are strictly for patients who are either too ill to attend the surgery or who are physically housebound.

It is not possible to give a definite time for a home visit or to guarantee which doctor will attend.

A doctor may telephone you before visiting to get some more details or to assess your situation. Please remember that several patients could be seen in the practice during the time it takes a doctor to do just one home visit, especially when they have several miles to travel and cross Boston. The facilities for examining and treating patients are much better at the surgery, so we would prefer you to come in whenever possible.

Chaperones

We are committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is protected.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. This chaperone may be a family member or friend or one of our fully trained members of staff.

Wherever possible we ask you to make this request at the time of booking an appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not possible we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However, occasionally it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.

Your clinician may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy. If you would like to see a copy of our chaperone policy or have any questions or comments regarding this please contact the practice manager.

Test Results

Results are normally back within a week, although x-rays usually take much longer. If the doctor needs to discuss your results with you, we will contact you to make an appointment. If you don't hear from us you should assume your results are satisfactory.

However, if you are anxious and want to call, please call 01205 362556 (option 2) between 1100-1600hrs when our reception staff will have more time to deal with your request.

We can only give test results to you or your legal guardian unless we have your written consent.

When you take your test you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice. It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if your are advised to do so.