a doctor working on a laptop

Appointments

The best way to arrange a GP appointment is to complete a e-Consult. By providing us with useful clinical information our dedicated advanced triage hub can identify urgent problems quickly and direct you to appropriate member of our clinical team. This enables our telephone lines to be free for those patients with limited or no access to the internet. 

Please see this page and the video below which explain our Triage process and how best to access us. 

Change or Cancel an Appointment

Please give us as much notice as possible so we can offer your appointment to someone else.

  • Please remember that there may be a shortage of appointments and when you fail to attend you have prevented someone else from being seen in your place.
  • Cancellations notified less than 30 minutes before the appointment time will be recorded as failure to attend (DNA).
  • Repeated failure to attend booked appointments is a significant waste of NHS resources.

Ways to cancel

  1. Cancel using our secure online form
  2. Cancel using SystmOnline if your appointment is more than 24 hours away.
  3. Telephone us on 01308 421 896 (Bridport) or 01308 861 800 (Tunnel Road / Pound Piece) if your appointment is more than 24 hours away.
  4. Cancel through the NHS App

How To Book An Appointment

{{ Number(0) + 1 }}

Life Threatening - Call 999 or go to A&E

Call 999 or go to A&E

If you or someone you know has a life-threatening condition, such as loss of consciousness, a sudden confused state, chest pain, breathing difficulties etc, you should call 999.

{{ Number(1) + 1 }}

Triage Process

Video Guide - Triage Process

Hello,

Dr Finucane here.

I am one of the GP partners at Ammonite Health Partnership, which covers Bridport Medical Centre, Pound Piece Surgery in Maiden Newton, and Tunnel Road Surgery in Beaminster.

The purpose of this video is to explain our Triage process and how best to access us. One of the key messages to take away from this short video is “help us to help you”.

{{ Number(2) + 1 }}

Self-Care

Self-Care

Help and support available from many National and Local Organisations

Visit our Self Help Zone

Pharmacy & Self-Care

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can offer clinical advice, over the counter medicines and their use, to effectively and safely manage a range of minor health concerns. They can also help you to decide whether you'll need to see a doctor. You don't need an appointment and you won't even be asked to make a purchase. Every pharmacy also has a private consultation area for you to talk about your symptoms in private if you prefer.

Locate your local Pharmacy

NHS 111

Use NHS 111 when it's a concern, but less urgent than 999. The NHS non-emergency service.

NHS 111 is the NHS non-emergency service. It's fast, easy and free. Visit the website or call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

Visit NHS 111 Online

{{ Number(3) + 1 }}

eConsult

eConsult

eConsults are triaged everyday by a dedicated clinician who will be able to provide advice if needed or and appointment.

  • Fill out our simple eConsultation online form Monday through to Friday 8:30am - 6:30pm.
  • By filling out this form it helps avoid telephone queues, and if an appointment is needed, the most suitable clinician to treat you.
  • Self-help advice is available through eConsult 24 hours a day.

Start an eConsult

{{ Number(4) + 1 }}

Telephone the practice

Call reception

The receptionist will ask you a series of questions which will be sent to our new access hub, and triaged by one of the GPs. Having the information upfront, the GPs can review the consultation and decide the best course of action. You may be offered a telephone consultation or a face to face appointment.

Please note our telephone lines tend to be quieter Tuesday to Friday after 11am.

Telephone:

{{ Number(5) + 1 }}

Visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist

Visit reception

At reception we have triage forms that include a series of questions which will be sent to our new access hub, and triaged by one of the GPs. Having the information upfront, the GPs can review the consultation and decide the best course of action. You may be offered a telephone consultation or a face to face appointment.

Visit a Minor Injuries Unit

Visit a Minor Injuries Unit for minor burns, cuts, sports injuries, bites and bruises, minor dislocations, etc.

  • No appointment necessary
  • Quick access to medical help
  • Open till late and at weekends

Find Local Minor Injury services

Chaperone Policy

Ammonite Health is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times. The safety of everyone is of paramount importance.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they require one. The chaperone may be a family member or friend, but on occasions a formal chaperone may be preferred.

If a chaperone is required, patients are advised to ask for a chaperone at the time of booking the appointment; this will enable arrangements to be made, so that the appointment is not unnecessarily delayed.

The healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations.

All trained chaperones understand their role and responsibilities, and are competent to perform that role.

There is no common definition of a chaperone and their role varies considerably depending on, the needs of the patient, the healthcare professional and the examination being carried out.

Did Not Attend Policy

Those who have failed to attend 2 or more appointments within the previous 3 months will receive a warning letter.

Those who have had a warning letter and go on to miss a further appointment will receive another letter stating that they will only be able to book on the day appointments, a protocol added to the patient record will alert staff to this.

Those who go on to DNA same-day appointments will be invited in to discuss a contract and develop an appointment plan that would include them needing to call to confirm the appointment otherwise the appointment will be cancelled.

Warning letters last for 12 months.