Appointments
There are different ways to get medical help from a clinician, depending on your needs and preferences.
A face-to-face appointment may not always be necessary. Other clinicians such as Advanced Nurse Practitioners may also deal with issues for which patients may previously have seen Doctors.
Online consultations
You can contact our clinical team through eConsult, our online consultation system, from any internet-connected device. You can check your symptoms, get self-help advice or send a message directly to the practice team.
A clinician may invite you to book an appointment or suggest another form of treatment. Often, our team can resolve common patient issues without you needing to visit the surgery.
eConsult is quick, secure and easy to use. Many patients enjoy the instant access, flexibility and quick resolutions it offers.
Do not use an eConsult for an urgent medical problem
Requesting an appointment in person or over the phone
If you would like an appointment, please call 0191 273 4009 or visit us in person.
You may be asked about your issue by a member of our practice team. Staff do this to direct you to the best person to help with your problem. Staff are trained to do this, and anything you say to them is confidential.
Standard appointments are 10 minutes and for one patient and one issue. If you think you will need more time, you may need to request a double appointment.
We will always try to accommodate requests for specific times or clinicians, but please be aware that some options may not be available or may lead to a longer wait.
Urgent Appointments
Urgent on the day appointments can be requested in person, or by phoning 0191 273 4009. This is assessed via triage, from the information you provide to our reception team.
This would be assessed and an appropriate appointment provided.
Do not use an eConsult for an urgent medical problem
If you are currently experiencing any of the following please ring 999
- Signs of a heart attack – pain like a very tight band, heavy weight or squeezing in the centre of your chest or any pain that moves into your jaw, your neck or down your left arm
- Signs of a stroke – face drooping on one side, can’t hold both arms up, difficulty speaking, or weakness or numbness on one side of your body
- Severe difficulty breathing – gasping, not being able to get words out, choking or lips turning blue
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop – uncontrollable bleeding from any part of your body
- Severe injuries – including deep cuts after a serious accident
- Poisoning – you have swallowed something you should not have (medicines, batteries, household chemicals
- Seizure (fit) – someone is shaking or jerking because of a fit, or is unconscious (can’t be woken up)
Home Visits
If you are housebound, a home visit may be possible.
Please request an appointment as usual, and let us know that you are unable to get to us. It is best to contact us as early in the day as possible.
Home visits are not guaranteed, and decisions will be based on clinical need and capacity.
Cancelling Appointments
If you know you won’t be able to attend a scheduled appointment or no longer need the one you have booked, please make every effort to let us know.
Please contact us on 0191 273 4009 or at holmsidemedicalgroup@nhs.net.
You may also be able to amend or cancel an appointment using the NHS App or through Patient Access, if you are signed up for those services.
By cancelling your unneeded appointment, we can offer the slot to another patient who needs it.
Book online with Patient Access or through the NHS App
Available appointments can also be viewed, booked and amended or cancelled using either Patient Access or the NHS App.