Suffolk GP Out of Hours Service

Appointments and waiting times

Access is via NHS 111.  Calls to NHS 111 are free from mobile phones and landlines and the service can be accessed 24 hours day, 365 days a year by dialling 1-1-1.

The NHS 111 team will assess your condition over the phone and if it is clinically appropriate will book you an appointment to see one of our clinicians. These are either:

• At one of our Primary Care Centres. If you need to cancel an appointment call 111.
• A home visit. These are for housebound patients only and are based on clinical need. You may be telephoned at home by our clinician to help them prioritise urgent cases.

We do not offer a walk-in service, so please do not simply turn up to our Primary Care Centres. You will need to have called NHS 111 and be booked into an appointment.

Your appointment time is a guide only. Sometimes other patients may come in after you but be seen before you. This is because we see patients according to need. We aim to see you and treat you as quickly as possible and waiting times are monitored.

Children

We treat children but cannot look after the children of unwell patients whilst they are waiting to be seen or are receiving care. Please ensure children are supervised at all times and bring something to keep them amused.

When our service operates?

We provide urgent out-of-hours services:

• Monday to Friday from 6.30pm to 8.00am.
• 24 hours at weekends and during bank holidays.

Chaperone – accompanied consultations

Should you require a chaperone present at your consultation, please ask the clinician who will be happy to arrange this for you. The chaperone will be a suitably trained healthcare professional. Chaperones act as an impartial observer during physical examinations, providing a safeguard for both the patient and clinician.

Interpretation Services

Language line interpreters are available for patients where English is not their preferred language please speak to the Receptionist upon arrival.

What does typical day look like in Urgent Care?

Day in the life of our GP

Day in the life of our Base Appointment Booker

Day in the life of our Service Manager

Day in the life of our Driver / Receptionist

Day in the life of our Administrator

 

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