Urgent appointments
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):
- use our Online Service, Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 4pm. We will respond within 4 hours during opening times
- phone us on 0191 567 5335, Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 6pm
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 6pm
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.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:
- use our Online Service, Monday to Friday 7.45am to 4pm. We will respond within 4 hours during opening times
- phone us on 0191 567 5335, Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 6pm
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 6pm
- 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.
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
- phone us on 0191 567 5335, Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 6.00pm
- 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
If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. We will phone you first to understand what you need.
To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you phone the practice as soon after 8am as possible.
Booking Hospital Appointments
Should you need a routine referral to hospital for a further opinion or investigations you now will normally be offered a choice of hospitals (eg Sunderland, Durham, Newcastle or South Tyneside) and appointment dates and times. When a doctor recommends a referral he/she will advise you on how this will work for you. Some information on how this works is listed below.
Please go to the National web site Choose and Book Online or:
- call the Choose and Book Appointments Line on 0845 608 8888 or textphone 0845 8 50 22 50 (calls are charged at the local rate and translation services are available).
- use the internet and go to the e-referral service. If you then select Choose and Book, you can enter the website by giving your appointment reference number, year of birth and password. When you have given these details, you can book an appointment, change an appointment or view the status of your booking.
- you can compare information between the hospitals or clinics on your list and print off copies. If you do not have access to a computer or printer, your local GP practice may be able to access the same information and print copies for you.
Making the most of your appointment – How you can help
Make notes of any questions or concerns you might have before your appointment so you can make sure you inform the doctor of all relevant details.
Wear loose clothing to make it easier for you to have your blood pressure checked. Chest examination or feet examined, etc.
If you are concerned about not understanding or remembering something from your appointment you can bring someone with you – someone with whom you are happy to share your medical information.
Feel free to ask questions. Ask doctor or nurse to explain or write it down if it is not clear what you are being told.
Be direct. You may have a problem that is embarrassing or difficult for you to talk about. Do not leave it till the end. Remember these problems are probably common to your doctor.
If you are prescribed medication, be sure you are happy as to why it has been prescribed, how it works and how long you have to take it. You can also ask the pharmacist about your medication queries.
If you taking any medication please bring them with you. Bring with you any other medications you are taking not prescribed by your doctor, such as from health food shops, etc.