Your Appointment
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.
How to Make an Appointment
Urgent Appointments for Today or Tomorrow
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):
- Phone us
- Haydock Medical Centre: 01744 624360
- Old Whint Surgery: 01744 612553
- Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
Routine Appointments (In the Next 7 Days)
- Phone us
- Haydock Medical Centre: 01744 624360
- Old Whint Surgery: 01744 612553
- Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
If you need help with your appointment
Please tell us:
if you have any other access or communication needs
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
Cancelling or Changing an Appointment
use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
use the GP online system: Patient Access
phone us on Haydock Medical Centre: 01744 624360 / Old Whint Surgery: 01744 612553
reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message
What to do if 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.
Carers and Housebound Patients
If you look after somebody, are looked after by a carer or if you are housebound, please tell our reception team. It is important that we have this information on your medical records so that we can provide appropriate care and support.
Chaperones
We respect the privacy, dignity, and cultural and religious beliefs of our patients. If you would like a chaperone during your consultation, please ask at reception or speak to your clinician.
Get Fast Help From a Pharmacist
Your pharmacist can help with various conditions such as minor cuts, sprains, aches, colds, headaches, rashes, cystitis.
Why Visit Your Pharmacy?
Visiting your pharmacy could save yourself time and trouble. Instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can visit your local participating pharmacy, a walk in service.
Minor Ailments and Conditions Your Pharmacy May Help With
- mild skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, athlete’s foot
- coughs and colds, including blocked nose (nasal congestion), and sore throats
- bruises, sunburn, and minor burns and scalds
- constipation and piles (haemorrhoids)
- hay fever, dry eyes and allergies (including rashes, bites and stings)
- aches and pains, including earache, headache, migraine, back pain and toothache
- vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
- period pain, thrush and cystitis
- head lice (nits)
- conjunctivitis, cold sores and mouth ulcers
- warts and verrucas
- nappy rash and teething
To find your nearest pharmacy, please visit Find a Pharmacy.
Getting the Most out of Your Appointment
In Great Britain, patients on average have just ten minutes with their GP. The British Medical Association (BMA)‘s Doctor Patient Partnership offers the following advice to help you use this time effectively.
Be Prepared
- Make a list of any questions or problems you wish to discuss before hand.
- Take a pen and paper as you may want to note down important points.
- Wear loose clothing if it’s likely you will need to be examined.
- Be prepared to tell your doctor of any non-prescription medicines or supplements you are taking.
- You can bring someone with you for support.
During The Appointment
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If you don’t understand, ask your doctor to repeat it or write it down.
If you are prescribed a drug, make sure you know why it has been given to you, how long to take it for etc. Remember pharmacists are experts in medication and a very useful source of advice.
Be direct. If you have a problem that you find embarrassing or difficult to talk about, don’t leave it to the end of the appointment before mentioning it. Remember your problem is likely to a common one for your GP, who is there to help you.
One problem at a time
If you have several problems it is more effective in the long run to concentrate on just one problem during the consultation than to have to rush through a list of problems. Be prepared to make another appointment so that each problem can be given the time it needs to be sorted out.
Be on Time
Be on time for your appointment, or inform the surgery as soon as possible, if you wish to cancel your appointment.
Separate Appointments
Make a separate appointment for each member of the family.
Under 14 Year Olds
Accompany under 14 year olds. If however, a young person strongly wishes to be treated without his/her parent’s involvement, his or her confidentiality will be respected.
Home Visits
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10am.
You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls
You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.
Interpreter Services
If English isn’t your first language, don’t worry we can help you by arranging an interpreter. If you need an interpreter, please let us know when booking your appointment. We will advise how long it will take for an interpreter to be arranged.
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that the interpreter can be cancelled.
Late for Your Appointment
Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until the next working day-except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.