Appointments

Our doctors will never refuse to see any patient who feels they must be seen the same day. However, we do ask all patients to act responsibly when booking emergency appointments and not ask to be seen unless your condition genuinely warrants it. 

There may be a lengthy wait before you can be seen. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and assure you that the doctors are doing their best to see everyone who has asked to be seen.

However, if the doctors feels that it is not an emergency and you can wait a few days then you may not be treated and will be asked to make a routine appointment.

Appointments can be made by telephone, at reception or online and may only be booked one week in advance. Doctor’s appointments are 10 minutes each and nurse appointments are for 15 minutes. If you think that you may need more time than this please inform the receptionist when booking the appointment.

Please make a separate appointment for each member of the family that needs to be seen. If you have a child who is unwell, please tell the receptionist, especially if they have a possible infectious rash and need to be separated from other people.

If you need telephone advice, please try and telephone before 10:30. Please give your telephone number to the receptionist and a doctor will endeavour to telephone you before midday.

Messages will not be left on patients answer phone machines in order to maintain confidentiality.

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 before10:30am.

The NHS Extended Hours programme aims to:

“Ensure everyone has easier and more convenient access to GP services, including appointments at evening and weekends”

Locally the pre-bookable appointments are currently available as follows:

• Weekday evenings (Monday to Friday) after 6.30pm
• Saturdays between 9am and 5pm

How can I book an appointment?

Simply contact as usual and ask for an extended hours appointment.

As a Craven Arms patient, our receptionists can book you an extended hours appointment in any of the practices below:

Availability of Extended Hours Appointments

Portcullis: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, weekly. Friday evenings and Saturdays mornings on a rota. Doctor, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, and Counsellor appointments

Clun: Alternate week Thursday evenings, Friday evenings and Saturdays mornings on a rota. Doctor appointments

Church Stretton: Friday evenings and Saturdays mornings on a rota. Doctor appointments

Bishops Castle: Monday evenings, weekly. Friday evenings and Saturdays mornings on a rota. Doctor and Advanced Nurse Practitioner appointments

Station Drive: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, weekly. Friday evenings and Saturdays mornings on a rota. Doctor, Nurse and Health Care Assistant appointments

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.

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

To cancel your appointment:

• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• phone us on 01588 672309
• reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message

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.

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