Appointments

Non-urgent advice: Notice

All medical and admin requests are looked at within 24 working hours, and all prescription requests are looked at within 48 working hours.

Urgent appointments

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Minor illness surgeries run twice a day. The receptionist will guide you to one of these surgeries if appropriate. Please note that these are slightly shorter than routine appointments and the doctor will normally only be able to deal with the single problem that you have told the receptionist about.
If you feel that you need to speak to a doctor urgently, the receptionist will ask you for a brief description of the problem and, if appropriate, will add you to our triage list.

This is a list of patients who will be called in turn by the on call doctor to assess your need to be seen face to face. If they can help you without you having to come in to the surgery they will offer you advice over the telephone. However, if they feel you need to be seen by a doctor, they can make you an appropriate appointment.

Routine appointments

We release routine appointments in stages up to four weeks in advance.

For ongoing problems we urge you to arrange follow up with the same doctor as this will improve continuity and quality of care.

To request a routine appointment:

  • use our appointment request form
  • phone us on 0121 449 0300, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
  • use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) to book a screening test or vaccination

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.

We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

Your appointment

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.

For longstanding problems and medication reviews (which you have been told require a doctor rather than nurse appointment) please try to book ahead and don’t leave it until the last minute. This will give you more choice of which doctor you see.

Try to think about whether the nurses or pharmacists are best suited for you. These (non doctor) staff are very thorough and follow standards set specifically for them. If they ever feel they need advice they always seek guidance from a doctor – either at the time if the matter is urgent or following your appointment.
There are many conditions or situations when it is not necessary for you to be seen face to face for a review or to arrange the next stage in treatment. The receptionists will book one of these appointments if you contact the surgery requesting a call from one of the doctors.

All permanent doctors offer this service on set days of the week.

The phone reviews are normally done in the afternoon. If there is a certain time window in which you would prefer to receive the call (please be as broad as possible) please inform the receptionist when they book the appointment and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Do not hesitate to ask any member of the team for help. Here are some tips to make the most of your appointment:

Please make a separate appointment for each family member

If this your first visit to the Practice – Please bring a list of medication you are currently taking.

If you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask again – The Doctor or healthcare professional can explain what has been said or anything you did not understand.

Ask a friend or family member to come with you – only if you would like.

Make sure you know what happens next – You may be asked to book a follow up appointment, be referred to a Consultant or require to attend for further tests.  Make sure you know if you need to do anything and write it down if necessary.

If you are late –  you may not been seen. Please allow plenty of time when travelling and if driving, for parking your car.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

To cancel your appointment:

  • use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
  • using the GP online system – Patient Access
  • phone us on 0121 449 0300, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
  • reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message

If you need help when we are closed

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.

If you need help with your appointment

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

Home visits

We perform home visits for those patients not physically able to make it to the surgery.

If you feel that you need a home visit please try to contact the surgery before 11.30 am.

You will normally receive a telephone call from the on call doctor prior to any visit. It may be that alternative arrangements may be made rather than a doctor visit. These may involve the district nursing team or our Chronic Disease Community Matron.

Urgent visits will be performed the same day and we will normally be able to give you an indication of when the visit is likely to take place (this may be subject to change depending on the workload of the day).

If your condition changes whilst you are awaiting your visit please contact the surgery.

Extended Access

Wake Green Surgery offer extended access to appointments at our local Extended Access Hub, which is based at Yardley Wood Medical Centre. There will be evening and weekend appointments available for patients registered at several local practices. The appointments are with a range of clinicians including GPs, nurses and HCAs.

401 Highfield Road,
Yardley Wood,
Birmingham,
B14 4DU

Monday to Friday: 6.30pm-8.00pm
Saturday: 8.30am-11.30am
Sunday: not currently available

Appointments must be booked in advance through the reception team at Wake Green Surgery and are available with a range of clinicians including GPs, nurses and health care assistants. Appointments times are:

Help from Pharmacists

Pharmacists are trained to be able to advise you on a range of common conditions, making it easier and quicker for you to get help without waiting for an appointment with the GP.

Simply walk into your local Pharmacist and ask for some advice. The treatment for most common conditions is about doing the right things for yourself. However, if medication is needed then the Pharmacist will make the appropriate recommendation, which will be free for those who are exempt prescription charges. Also, remember that many Pharmacies are open at weekends and evenings.
Cough
Common cold
Earache
Sore throat
UTIs
Emergency Contraception
Threadworms
Teething
Athlete’s foot
Thrush
Hay fever
Fever
Blocked nose
Sprain or strain
Head lice
Other common conditions

No appointment is necessary, and your local Pharmacist is generally open late, is available at weekends and many public holidays.

Find a pharmacy – NHS

Immediate help for Minor Injuries

Use your local Minor Injuries Unit if you need medical treatment or advice which does not need a visit to A&E or a medical appointment.

sprains and strains
suspected broken limbs
minor head injuries
cuts and grazes
bites and stings
minor scalds and burns
ear and throat infections
skin infections and rashes
eye problems
coughs and colds
feverish illness in adults
feverish illness in children
abdominal pain
vomiting and diarrhoea
emergency contraception

Services A to Z – NHS