Appointments

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

  • Phone us Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6.30pm.
  • Visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist. We are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6.30pm.

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.

To request a routine appointment in the next 3 weeks

  • Phone us Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6.30pm.
  • Try our online appointment via Engage Consultations – you cannot book appointments online to see us face to face or by phone
  • Visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist. We are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6.30pm.

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.

The wait might be longer than 3 weeks if we have high demand or doctors on holiday.

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

To cancel or change an appointment

  • Reply to the text reminder we send you before your appointment * this is the easiest way and frees up your appointment immediately for another patient
  • Let us know online
  • Phone us Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6.30pm.

If you need help when we are closed

If the situation is an emergency or life threatening, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.

For urgent medical advice between 6.30pm and 8.30am weekdays, or during weekends and Bank Holidays, use NHS 111.

For children under 5 phone 111.

For people aged 5 and over go to the 111.nhs.uk website.

They will put you in touch with the Out of Hours GP Service if required.

Hastings Primary Care Hub

You can also book to be seen urgently on the day with Hasting Primary Care Hub based at Station Plaza Centre, Station Approach, Hastings TN34 1BA (previously the Walk In Centre).

Open Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:30; and Saturday & Sunday 08:00 – 20:00

You must book an appointment. Tel 01424 884410.

For  more details visit Integrated Care 24 – Hastings Primary Care Hub (ic24.org.uk)

A&E

A&E is for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only.

Our nearest A&E is at: The Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7RD. Tel: 0300 131 4500

Before you go there, ask yourself, “Is it a real emergency?” If not, please consider using other local health services before you visit A&E.

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, or by video call.
  • If you need an interpreter.
  • If you have any other access or communication needs.

Home visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible.  If you do need a home visit, please contact our Reception Team, ideally before 10.00am if possible.

Your doctor will only visit you at home if they think that it is necessary for your medical condition. Your doctor will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

Extended access appointments

Evening appointments

We offer evening appointments on:

  • Wednesday 6.30pm to 7pm at Oldwood Surgery; 7pm to 8pm by telephone – GP, Paramedic Practitioner and nurse (6.30pm to 7pm)
  • Thursday 6.30pm to 7pm  at Battle Health Centre; 7pm to 8pm by telephone – GP

These appointments must be booked in advance.

Evening appointments are also available with other local practices on Monday, Tuesday and Friday evenings 6.30pm to 8pm and Saturdays 9am to 5pm (includes physio appointments). Contact our reception team for more information. You will need to give consent for external GPs to access your medical record.

Non attendance

The surgery operates a non-attendance policy, as well as a late attendance policy, which means if you do not arrive at all or you arrive too late to be seen, we will contact you about the defaulted appointment.  In exceptional circumstances, due to consistent no-attendance, you might be asked to register with an alternative practice.

Chaperone service

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present during any consultation, examination or procedure. Clinicians will offer a chaperone during any intimate examination. This may be one of our specially trained administration staff or a nurse or Health Care Assistant. If you feel you would like a chaperone please ask at reception or mention it to your doctor or nurse.

Dealing with unprecedented demand

In September 2023, we introduced a cap to our appointments of 25 per day.  This news article explains the reasons for this and what happens when we run out of appointments: dealing with unprecedented demand.

Date published: 8th October, 2014
Date last updated: 25th March, 2024