How do I submit a request? (Medical and Admin)
Patients can submit Medical and Admin requests. To contact the practice, please click the above “Contact us Online” button from 08.00am Monday to Friday (Excluding bank holidays).
Please note, requests will be suspended for the day if we become full to capacity.
The practice team will triage all requests as quickly as possible and aim to respond within 24 hours. You will be contacted with a text response or by the admin team if an appointment is necessary. Patients should ensure that they are available for an appointment on the day that they submit a form for more urgent matters. If triaged as less urgent than appointments will be booked for a future time. Once the form has been reviewed, the clinician may decide that the patient would benefit from a face-to-face review rather than treatment over the telephone. You may be asked for more information to allow the Triage Team to book the most suitable appointment.
The Triage Team may also direct you to another service if this is thought to be more suitable or provide you with advice to help you manage your condition yourself should a general practice appointment not be necessary.
Some appointments will be triaged to the afternoon, evening or Saturday appointment service with GP+ Swinton. This clinic is based at The Lakes Medical Centre Read more about the GP+ Swinton service (on Swinton Care website).
What do I do if I am unable to submit a request online?
If you are unable to submit a request online because you do not have access to the internet, please call the surgery for assistance on 0161 794 1604. Our admin team will complete the form with you, and this will then be passed on to the triage team.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOUSEBOUND – How do I request a home visit?
If you are housebound and may require advice or a home visit from a Clinician, please contact the surgery by telephone 0161 794 1604 before 10.30am. These requests will also be triaged by the team.
How do I make an appointment with the Nursing team?
You can book appointments with our Nursing team by calling reception 0161 794 1604.
Types of appointments
However you choose to contact us we may offer you a consultation:
- By phone.
- Face to face at the surgery.
- By text or email.
Appointments by phone, text or email can be more flexible and often means the doctor or nurse can help you sooner.
How do I cancel an appointment?
If you no longer require your appointment, please make every effort to contact the surgery so that it can be made available to someone else.
Help with your appointment
Please tell us:
- If you need an interpreter.
- If you have any other access or communication needs.
For More information on the triage system
Enhanced access
Evening and weekend appointments are available in the GP+ Enhanced Access Service at:
Silverdale Medical Practice, Pendlebury Health Centre, 659 Bolton Road, Pendlebury, Swinton, M27 8HP (Mon & Tues)
The Lakes Medical Practice, 21 Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 4AF (Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat)
Please ring your practice to book an appointment.
Help when we are closed
- Call 111 for urgent help and advice.
- Call 999 for a medical emergency.
- Visit 111.nhs.uk for help and advice.
- For dental issues please ring the out of hours dental number on 0161 337 2246
Out of Hours Service
Between 18:30 and 08:00 Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays your call will be redirected to the NHS 111 service.
Your GP Consultation
Get the most out of a consultation
In Great Britain, patients on average have just seven minutes with their GP. The BMA’s Doctor Patient Partnership offers the following advice to help you use this time effectively.
Be prepared
Make a list of any questions / problems you wish to discuss before hand.
Take a pen & paper as you may want to note down important points.
Wear loose clothing if it’s likely you will need to be examined.
Be prepared to tell your doctor of any non-prescription medicines or supplements you are taking.
You can bring someone with you for support.
During the appointment
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If you don’t understand, ask your doctor to repeat it or write it down.
If you are prescribed a drug, make sure you know why it has been given to you, how long to take it for etc. Remember pharmacists are experts in medication and a very useful source of advice.
Be direct. If you have a problem that you find embarrassing or difficult to talk about, don’t leave it to the end of the appointment before mentioning it. Remember your problem is likely to a common one for your GP, who is there to help you.
One problem at time
If you have several problems it is more effective in the long run to concentrate on just one problem during the consultation than to have to rush through a list of problems. Be prepared to make another appointment so that each problem can be given the time it needs to be sorted out.
Be on time
Be on time for your appointment, or inform the surgery as soon as possible, if you wish to cancel your appointment.
Separate appointments
Make a separate appointment for each member of the family.
Under 14 years old
Accompany under 14 year olds. If however, a young person strongly wishes to be treated without his/her parent’s involvement, his/her confidentiality will be respected.
Home Visits
Home visits are only available for housebound patients and for those too ill to attend the surgery.
Non-urgent advice: Patient Notice
If you need a home visit, please call the surgery as early as possible, before 10:30am.
We will look at the information you give us and decide the most suitable person for you to see and what type of consultation you need. The doctor or nurse may consult with you face-to-face or by phone.