Appointments

You can ask for an appointment online, by phone or at our front desk. This page tells you how, and what happens next.

How to ask for an appointment

Online

Use our online request form to tell us about your problem. You can also ask a question, or ask for something like a letter or a sick note. You can add a photo if it helps.

Request an appointment online (opens in a new tab)

You can send a request at any time, day or night. We reply within 2 working days.

The form is not for urgent problems. If you need help today, call us on 01708 552 072 when we are open, or 111 when we are closed.

By phone

Call us on 01708 552 072. Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6:30pm.

At the surgery

Come to the front desk at 1 Harlow Road, Rainham, RM13 7UP. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6:30pm.

What happens after you ask

We will look at the information you give us. Then we will decide the most suitable person for you to see, and when they are available.

We will reply by phone, text or email within 2 working days.

You may be offered an appointment face to face, by phone, by video call, or by text or email. Tell us which you prefer.

Sending a request online does not mean you will be seen the same day. If your problem is urgent, phone us.

Urgent appointments today

If you need help today, call us on 01708 552 072 when we are open. Tell the receptionist it is urgent.

When we are closed, call 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab).

Find out where to get urgent help, day or night

Routine appointments

For problems that can wait, ask online or call us. We will offer you the next suitable appointment.

You can ask for a doctor or nurse you have seen before. It may take longer to see them.

Home visits

Home visits are for patients too ill to come to the surgery.

Phone us before 10am on 01708 552 072. The receptionist will ask a few questions and a doctor may call you back.

Appointments outside our opening hours

You can book an appointment on a weekday evening or at the weekend. This service is called Extended Access.

The appointments are at Rosewood Medical Centre, 30 Astra Close, Elm Park, Hornchurch RM12 5NJ, not at our surgery.

Extended Access is open:

• Monday to Friday, 6pm to 10pm
• Saturday, 9am to 5pm
• Sunday, 10am to 2pm

To book, call our reception on 01708 552 072.

Change or cancel an appointment

If you cannot come, tell us as soon as you can. We can then give the time to someone else.

To cancel an appointment with a doctor, call us on 01708 552 072.

To cancel an appointment with a nurse, reply to the text message reminder we send you. You can also call us.

You cannot book or cancel appointments in the NHS App. If you need a different time, call us.

If you are late

Please arrive on time. If you are late, we may not be able to see you.

Text message reminders

We send text messages to confirm your appointments and remind you about them.

To get them, give reception your mobile number. Tell us if your number changes. You cannot change your phone number in the NHS App.

Find out how to change your contact details

If you need an interpreter or other support

Tell us when you book if you:

• need an interpreter, and we will arrange one
• would prefer a particular doctor or nurse
• have any other access or communication needs
• need information in large print, easy read, braille or audio

If you cannot use the internet

You do not need the internet to get an appointment. Call us on 01708 552 072 or come to the front desk. Our reception team will help you.

When you come to your appointment

Do:

• come on time
• make a separate appointment for each person
• tell us if you have more than 1 problem, as you may need a longer or second appointment
• come with your child if they are under 16

If a young person wants to be seen without a parent, we will respect their privacy.