Total Triage at Stopsley Village Practice
Contact us with Accurx
You can contact a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional online using a website called Accurx.
Urgent appointments
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- use the Accurx service
- phone us on 01582 722555
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
- use the Accurx service
- phone us on 01582 722555
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or SystmOnline to book an appointment, screening test or vaccination
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.
Receptionists
Our receptionists are trained to do a difficult job well. If you need an urgent appointment they will ask you questions that you may find irritating. This is necessary for them to assess the urgency of your situation – they are not just being nosey. This process allows the practice to run smoothly and provide an efficient service for our patients.
Please treat our receptionists with courtesy and do not blame them if, for example, the doctor is delayed.
Seeing a doctor
It is the policy of the practice that patients see their regular doctor whenever possible. Patients may make a request to see another doctor and, if time is available, this wish will be granted. Our surgery is run on an ‘open access’ and routine appointment system; Monday is ‘open access’ all day; consequently, appointments can only be made on the day. Tuesday through to Friday provides a mix of appointments with ‘open access’ appointments available in the mornings and pre-booked routine appointments and Urgent appointments available in the afternoons.
Our receptionists will inform you which doctors are available for that day. Urgent medical cases will be seen the same day; otherwise, patients will be offered the earliest available appointment.
Please note: The doctors will not see patients for dental problems. Patients are expected to consult their local dentist.
Telephone appointments
If you wish to receive general advice on a health issue, we would recommend that you contact NHS 111. If, however, you would like to talk to your doctor on a specific issue, then make a request to our reception staff. If the doctor is not immediately available, they will ask for your phone number and brief details of the nature of the problem and they will get the doctor to call you when time is available.
Sometimes the receptionist may suggest that you speak to a nurse instead of the doctor.
Enhanced access
The Luton extended access service has been available from September 2018 for all Luton patients to book routine appointments with a GP, practice nurse or healthcare assistant through their practice.
This service will operate Monday to Friday evenings from 6p to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8:30am to 2:30pm at two local GP practices. The service will not operate from within our practice but patients will be offered appointments at Medici Medical Centre or Gardenia and Marsh Farm Practice.
Patients unable to get to clinics at our surgery for chronic disease management such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis may attend these clinics to have reviews. The clinicians in this service will have full access to your GP records from the surgery.
Appointments for the Luton extended access service cannot be booked online but must be made through the practice. Please call 01582 818445 if you have any queries about an extended access appointment once it has been booked.
Extended access service further information (PDF).
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.
Prompt arrival
Please try to arrive for consultations a few minutes before your appointed time. If you arrive late you may find that you have lost your appointment and that you will have to make a new appointment for another day.
Self check-in
The surgery has an automated self check-in touch screen opposite the reception windows. This is a simple to use system that enables the patient to check themselves into our appointments system.
Should you feel uncomfortable about using such a system, you can obtain help, or book in at the reception desk in the traditional manner.
Text reminders
We have an automated routine that sends appointment reminder messages to patients via the mobile text messaging system. Please ensure that we have your mobile telephone number in order that we may be able to send you these reminders. If we have your mobile number and you do not wish to receive reminder messages, let us know and we can switch the message facility off for you.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- use the GP online system: SystmOnline
- phone us on 01582 722555 during opening times
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
Home visits are made at the discretion of the doctor. You are expected to come to the surgery whenever possible, as this makes best use of the doctor’s time and the facilities are better for examination and treatment. Requests for home visits should be made before 10:30am by calling 01582 722555.
The receptionist will need to take a few details on the nature of the problem in order that the doctor may prioritise the urgency of the visits for that day. In some cases the doctor may telephone you back to discuss your request and decide whether a visit is necessary.