Our Appointment System

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Pharmacy

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can offer clinical advice, over the counter medicines 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.

FIND A PHARMACY

Appointments

Appointments can be made by calling at the surgery, by telephone or if you are registered to use SystmOnline. Patients are free to express a preference to see a doctor or nurse of their choice for routine appointments at the surgery. Let us know if more than one person in the family needs to be seen. We can give you a longer appointment if necessary

Urgent Cases

If you feel that you need to be seen the same day, you will be - but not always by the doctor of your choice.

New Patients

To register with this practice, please speak to the receptionist. The Practice only accepts new patients who live within our Practice area, see map below. When you register as a new patient at Orchard court, you will be provided with the facility to access your prospective medical records unless you choose to opt out of this facility. 

Alternatively you can discuss it with your clinician at your next visit.

Home Visits

If you require a home visit, please contact the surgery before 10.00am on the day that you require it. You will be visited between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Where possible the doctor who knows you best will visit you at home, but this is not guaranteed as visits are generally allocated considering geographical location and on call commitment.

Please do not request a visit if you are able to attend the surgery as your doctors time could be better spent seeing patients than being caught up in traffic. Please bear in mind that a home visit takes on average 5 times longer than seeing a patient in the surgery. We can also offer much better facilities at the surgery to help diagnosis and treat a problem than we can do on a home visit.

Only request a home visit after 10.00am if it is an emergency as this will involve the doctor having to leave the surgery, thereby inconveniencing patients who have made appointments and who may have urgent medical problems.

Evenings and Weekends

For urgent advice and treatment when our practice is closed call 111. Primary HealthCare Darlington offer both evening and weekend appointments for all Darlington GP surgeries. You can make an appointment through reception or by ringing 111.

Your local pharmacist will be able to give you free health advice and you don’t need an appointment. Many pharmacies operate extended hours on a rota basis. 

To see an experienced nurse for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses seven days a week, 8am until 8pm, visit Darlington Urgent Care Centre. Please ring 111 for an appointment.

Darlington Urgent Care Centre
Darlington Memorial Hospital
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
DL3 6HX

Behaviour

We aim to treat our patients courteously at all times and expect our patients to treat our staff in a similarly respectful way. We take seriously any threatening, abusive or violent behaviour against any of our staff or patients. If a patient is violent or abusive, they will be warned to stop their behaviour.

We would like to make it clear that violence and abuse from patients against our staff is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. These patients will be reported to the police maybe subsequently prosecuted and maybe struck off the practice list. The Government and the NHS has made a commitment to also stamp out violent and abusive behaviour.

Specialist and hospital care

If a GP or another member of our health care team believes you need hospital treatment or specialist care elsewhere, they will ask you where and when you would like to go. They can then book your appointment  electronically while you wait.

Accident & Emergency / 999

Whatever the day or time, if you or someone else experiences:

• Severe chest pain
• Loss of blood
• Suspected broken bones

Go to your nearest accident and emergency department or call 999.

Accident and emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can assess serious injuries and provide emergency treatment.

How you can help us

• Be on time for your appointment
• Inform us of any change of your contact number
• Tell us if you need to cancel
• Call for a home visit or urgent appointment before 10am
• Ring for test results after 11am

Patient Confidentiality

We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-todate records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible advice and care. This information is only available to those involved in your care and you should never be asked for personal medical information by anyone not involved in your care.

You have a right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records, please call our practice manager.