Appointments

Urgent appointments

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

If you are unable to use the online consultation:

  • phone us on 0121 465 5739, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8.30am 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.

Urgent clinical queries are typically given priority for a same-day appointment. Please ensure your phone is available to receive a call from our reception team to confirm the appointment time.

The next category of appointments involves assessments within 2-5 working days, as determined by the on-call doctor. Our reception team will typically call you on the day of submission to confirm your appointment.

Please call or come to reception.

Dove Medical Practice prioritises the protection of our vulnerable patients, particularly as services transition to digital solutions. For those who are vulnerable, such as our frail patients, you can always call us on our telephone number, and our reception staff will gladly fill in an AccuRx form on your behalf.

We encourage patients who have difficulties accessing the internet to reach out to us via telephone. If contacting us by phone is challenging, you’re welcome to visit our reception in person. However, we do kindly ask that queues to speak to reception are not formed at 8am as this causes significant backlogs to our telephone lines.

Our reception team will also complete this form on your behalf should you contact the surgery via telephone or attend in person. Reception will not be able to bypass this triage system to book your appointment for you. 

Alternatively, you can ask a friend or family member to submit an inquiry on your behalf.

Additionally, we provide access to telephone and BSL interpreters for those who need them.

Please note that contacting us by phone or in person does not mean your inquiry will be prioritised more urgently than if you submit an inquiry online. All queries are assessed by the on-call doctor based on clinical need.

Routine appointments

To request a routine appointment in the next 4 weeks:

For routine clinical queries, we strive to contact you within 48 hours to confirm an appointment within the next two weeks.

If you are unable to use the online consultation:

  • phone us on 0121 465 5739, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
  • visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm
  • book your screening test or vaccination using your NHS account

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

All clinical query submissions are reviewed by the on-call doctor, typically within the same day of receipt. Urgent queries receive priority for a quick review. Sometimes, we may reach out to you for additional information to assist in this process.
 
The on-call doctor determines the best appointment option based on your clinical needs and expressed preferences.
All queries are handled through the AccuRx platform. Whether you call or visit our reception team in person, they will submit your query on your behalf.
 
The time it takes for a clinician to review the submitted form remains consistent, regardless of whether you call, visit the practice, or submit the request online.
The greater the number of users on our online platform, the more availability our reception team will have to assist those who need help. That’s why, if you call us, our reception staff will inquire if you’re able to fill out an online form. If you can, they’ll kindly request you to do so. When filling out the online form, please try to include as much information as you can.

It’s beneficial for us to know if you prefer in-person consultations, any times you’re unavailable to attend, and if you have a preference for a specific clinician. This information helps us better meet your needs and preferences when scheduling 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 need an interpreter, please inform us when requesting an appointment. We have access to both in-person and phone interpreting services.

For BSL interpreters, please notify us in advance if possible, as arranging them may take a few days.

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 465 5739, 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

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.

Extended Access

Evening and weekend appointments are available at the Oaks Medical Centre for patients who are registered with The Dove Medical Practice, as part of a government initiative. Appointments must be booked in advance through The Dove Medical Practice and are available:
– Monday – 6.30pm to 8pm
– Tuesday – 6.30pm to 8pm
– Wednesday – 6.30pm to 8pm
– Thursday – 6.30pm to 8pm
– Friday – 6.30pm to 8pm
– Saturday – 9am to 1pm
– Sunday – 10am to 1pm

Please be aware that this is not a walk-in service – you must have an appointment.

Clinics will be held at the Oaks Medical Centre.