Appointments

Consultations are by appointment only. Patients are encouraged to phone to book appointments. We offer first telephone triage appointments with a clinician and if it is felt necessary for you to be seen in surgery this will be arranged for you. The practice also offers video consultations.

Unfortunately we cannot guarantee the time the doctor will be able to call you back.

There will generally be a longer wait for an appointment with the practitioner of your choice. Under our advanced access policy you are asked to assist us by letting the receptionist know the reason for your appointment. This will help us in choosing the most appropriate health care professional for you.

Urgent appointments

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

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

All patients with routine medical needs are seen by appointment. Patients are free to make an appointment with any of the clinicians but are encouraged to see the same person for follow-up appointments.

There will generally be a longer wait for an appointment with the practitioner of your choice. Under our advanced access policy you are asked to assist us by letting the receptionist know the reason for your appointment. This will help us in choosing the most appropriate health care professional for you.

You can request a routine appointment in advance during opening times.

We will respond to requests within 2 working days.

You can also:

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.

Get medical advice from a nurse

To ask a non-urgent medical question:

We will respond within 2 working days during opening times.

Telephone consultations

The doctors and nurses are happy to give advice over the telephone when appropriate. Unless your problem is urgent you may at times be asked to call back later to avoid interrupting the doctors when they are with a patient.

Please leave a landline number for the doctor to call you back if necessary.

Telephone consultations are only available during the morning surgery.

Enhanced access

Practices are working in partnership to provide additional GP appointments between 6:30pm and 8pm during the week and also over the weekend between 9am and 11am.

If you need access to an evening or weekend non-urgent appointment, please call and speak to the receptionist at your registered practice during normal opening hours. Your appointment could be with another practice in the area and may not be at your registered practice.

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

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible, this may enable someone else to be seen.

To cancel your appointment:

If you need help when we are closed

Summerfield urgent care centre is open daily from 8am to 8pm, for non serious emergencies and is happy to accept walk in patients.

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.

For less urgent health needs contact your GP when they are next open or visit your local pharmacy.

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 provided for patients who are housebound or too ill to attend the surgery.

Please phone the practice on 0121 551 4220 before 10am to request one and do give the receptionist as much information as possible to enable the doctor to allocate priority to visits.

It is usually better and more efficient for doctors and patients if you can avoid a visit and attend surgery.

Remember that clinical examination is best carried out at the surgery.

In extreme cases of accident or emergency when you require hospital treatment dial 999.

Home visits will only be undertaken in the practice boundary which includes postcodes B18, B19, B20 and B21 in Birmingham and as shown in the practice boundary map on our website.

Related information

Health A to Z

Sick notes

Test results