Appointments

Each of our appointments last 15 minutes. This is to ensure each member of our clinical team has an adequate amount of time to properly understand the patients needs. Our clinical team will strictly enforce this 15 minute time limit to ensure all patients are seen.

Face to Face Appointments:

Roughly 70% of the Practices appointments are Face to Face. To ensure clinics run smoothly, we ask patients who are being seen in person to arrive at least 5 minutes early for their appointment. Patients with multiple issues to discuss, should raise these in order of most important / urgent.

Late Arrival:

We understand that unexpected issues can arise. To allow for this, we have a 5 minute grace period for patients who are running late. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late for your appointment, it is likely the GP or ANP will be unable to see you. This policy is enforced strictly.

Telephone Consultations:

Most telephone consultations are offered on an AM or PM basis. Whilst we will try to accommodate specific time requests, this is not always possible. GPs will always try atleast twice to contact you. Any further attempts beyond this number, are at the discretion of the GP. If you miss both calls, then you will need to rearrange an appointment through triage.

Pre-Bookable Appointments:

We offer a set number of pre-bookable appointments each day. These appointments are normally booked around four weeks in advance. If you have a non-urgent medical condition that you are happy to wait to discuss with a GP, then you can call at any time of day and book one of these appointments (subject to availability)

Cancelling an Appointment:

If for any reason you cannot attend an appointment, you should always cancel it. 24 hours as a minimum is preferable, however, even one hour is often enough to ensure that appointment does not go unused. Our DNA rate for GP appointments is currently sitting at around 8%.

Missing an Appointment:

If you miss an appointment without contacting the Practice this will be noted and you will be contacted be the Practice to seek explanation for noting on your file. We will do this twice. If you DNA for a third time then a warning letter will be issued.

What is Online Triage?

Online triage allows you to submit an appointment request through to our team, without the need to phone.

How does it work?

You can access online triage on our website by selecting appointments from the main menu and then clicking on the link below. You will then be presented with a number of sections to complete. The more information you provide, the better.

A help video is available here

Is my information reviewed by a GP or someone from the admin team?

As with all patient appointment requests, the information you have shared will be reviewed by a GP. You will then be contacted by a member of the admin team to advise of the outcome.

Is this system always available?

The system will be accessible from 8am – 1pm, Monday – Friday (Excluding Bank Holidays). 

What if I prefer to call?

Patients can ofcourse continue to call and our team will be happy to speak with you, however, phone lines are busy and wait times can be lengthy.

For end of life and palliative care needs, please continue to call us on 02890 394545, option 1.

*Please note this service is for patients of Priory GP Practice CIC based in NI only - Not The Priory Surgery in Buckinghamshire*

If you would like to make an appointment with a GP, get some advice or pass on a message, simply call us on our usual number. Our team at reception will work through a small number of questions with you before passing your information onto our on call GP at that time. Based on the information you have given and your past medical history, the GP will make an informed decision on the best course of action for you. A member of the team will contact you to take you through your GP approved plan.

Please note demand is always high, however, if you hold on the line, your call will be answered and you will be placed on our Triage list.

The receptionist will want to ask some questions regarding the reason you wish to speak to a GP so that this information can be provided to the GP who will be contacting you once an appointment has been made.

If you require a blood test, please ensure when booking that the test has already been requested by a GP in the practice. 

Private clinic requests for tests

Private requests for tests will still require a consultation with a GP in the practice to authorise the tests to be done in the practice treatment room.

Hospital requests for tests

If the blood test has been requested by a hospital doctor, please ensure you bring hospital labels with you so that the result will go back to the hospital doctor who requested it.

PSA Tests

Patients requesting a PSA test, will first require a GP consultation before making an appointment with the treatment room.

Pharmacist Appointments

We have Practice Pharmacists who are available every day for telephone consultations to deal with queries about medication and side effects. 

Please call us as soon as possible on 028 9039 4545 if you need to cancel an appointment.

If you arrive to the Practice more than 7 minutes after your consultation was due then your appointment will be cancelled.

Should you miss three appointments (consecutive or non-consecutive) the Practice will issue a formal warning. 

If you need help when we are closed

If you need medical help now call 028 9182 2344

The GP out of hours service is for people who need urgent medical treatment only but cannot wait until their doctor’s practice re-opens. The service is for those with a terminal illness, very sick children and the frail elderly. Click here for more information.

If your condition is life-threatening, for example, a suspected heart attack or stroke, telephone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Where possible, we will aim to give you an appointment in the surgery nearest to your home, however, as a two site Practice, you may be asked to travel. 

Where possible, restrict your visit to one problem only. This allows the GP to focus fully on addressing your primary concern.

Please tell us:

• If you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone or face-to-face
• If you need an interpreter
• If you have any other access or communication needs

If you don't understand what the doctor has has told you, please ask for clarification. They will be happy to help.

Make sure you fully understand what next steps are required. If a treatment plan has been advised, it is important that you understand it.

If you are late, then you may not be seen. Please allow ample time for journeys to the Practice

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 before 10am were possible.