Appointments

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times ideally, use the contact us online form

If you are unable to use the online form, you can call us on 01285 653122 or 01285 652944 and our reception team will complete a triage on your behalf.

When you get in touch, we will ask what you need help with to ensure you’re directed to the most appropriate healthcare professional, whether it’s a doctor, nurse, or paramedic.

To request a routine appointment in advance:

• use the contact us online form
• you can also use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS app) or SystmOnline for specific nursing appointments, such as phlebotomy, cervical smears, or certain vaccinations.

If you’re unable to complete the online form, you can call reception, and we will fill out a triage form on your behalf.

Appointment length

Most appointments are 15 minutes long. To ensure that all of your health concerns are addressed safely and effectively:

• One major or two minor issues can typically be addressed during a 15-minute appointment.
• If you have multiple or complex issues, you may be asked to book another appointment.

Please be mindful that the time of our doctors and nurses is limited, and they may have other patients waiting. However, if you or another patient requires a longer consultation, this may delay appointments. We appreciate your understanding.

Telephone appointments

If you are offered a telephone appointment, please note that these are for phone consultations only. Do not come to the surgery unless you have been given a pre-booked face-to-face appointment.

Help us help you

To help us provide the best care for you and your family, we kindly ask you to keep the following in mind:

• Use the online contact form: For all queries, appointment requests, and general communication, the online form allows us to direct your request to the most appropriate team member.
• Order repeat medication in advance: Allow up to 48 hours for repeat prescriptions to be processed, and use online services wherever possible to avoid delays.
• Cancel appointments early: If you cannot attend an appointment, please cancel as soon as possible. This helps us offer the slot to another patient in need.
• Be prepared for your appointment: Write down your symptoms or concerns beforehand and bring any relevant information with you. This helps make the most of your consultation time.
• Use Pharmacy First: For minor illnesses, consult your local pharmacist first. They are trained to provide advice and treatment for a range of common conditions.
• Be considerate of appointment length: Understand that appointments are generally 15 minutes, and multiple or complex issues may require additional appointments.
• Understand telephone triage: Telephone appointments or advice may be appropriate for your needs and save you a trip to the surgery.

By working together, we can ensure that all patients receive the best possible care.

To request a nurse appointment, please call 01285 653122 or 01285 652944 and speak to a receptionist, who will be happy to help.

You must give your employer a doctor's 'fit note' (sometimes called a 'sick note') if you've been ill for more than 7 days in a row and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays.

Visit our Sickness Certificates page

Information and advice for travelling abroad.

Visit our Travel Information page

Patients who are housebound or severely unwell and unable to attend the surgery may request a home visit. Please use the online contact form or call 01285 653122 or 01285 652944.

If possible, request a visit before 10.30am to allow the team to plan their visits effectively.

We offer extended access appointments on Thursday evenings at the Avenue Surgery and Saturday appointments across the South Cotswolds locality. These appointments are available to patients who need evening or weekend access to primary care services

During parts of the day, our phone service is managed by Message Link, an emergency messaging service. If you call during these times and need a doctor urgently, Message Link will contact the surgery on your behalf. For non-urgent queries, they will advise you when to call back.