Important notice for our patient
From 29th September 2025, The Maples adopted the Total Triage Appointment Model
Helping you get the right treatment, by the right clinician, at the right time.
We will be asking all patients to complete an online Patient Triage form on this website.
This will be reviewed by one of our clinicians and we will then contact you with either advice or a link to book an appointment where appropriate.
If you are unable to do this, a family member, friend or carer can complete the form on your behalf. Of course if you are unable to complete the online form, you can still contact us by phone and one of our dedicated team members will talk you through the AccuRx pathway and support you using this new process.
Patient Support: A better way to contact your GP | Accurx Help Centre
Contact us with Accurx
You can contact a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional online using a website called AccuRx. Please be advised this is not for urgent issues.
We will respond to requests within 2 working days
Routine appointments
Routine appointments can be requested by submit a online Patient Triage form during opening times:
- All requests for all GP appointments are triaged by a clinician to ensure patients get the right treatment, by the right clinician, at the right time.
- You could be given a face to face or telephone appointment within the next few days, have a reply from the Clinician with self-care advice, have medication prescribed or you could be signposted to a more appropriate service including referring you to a local pharmacy.
- Clinicians may also request additional information by sending questionnaires to help prioritise those patients who need more urgent care.
- Patients for specific clinics (Asthma/Diabetes/Cardiac) will be sent booking links to be able to access appointments within these specific sessions.
Urgent appointments
To request an urgent appointment you feel needs attention today (Monday to Friday) during opening times please submit a online Patient Triage form on this website.
Your issue will be triaged by a clinician and if the criteria is met you will be placed with a member of the practice team for a same day appointment if necessary. The clinician may signpost you to an alternative service if appropriate.
These appointments are for urgent clinical issues and a patient care services team member will call you to arrange your appointment.
Home visits
If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. Please submit an online Patient Triage form on this website as early in the day as you can as same day visits cannot be guaranteed if they arrive after lunchtime
Pharmacy First
The new Pharmacy First service, launched 31 January 2024, adding to previously named Community pharmacy consultation service (CPCS) and enables community pharmacies to care and treat 7 common conditions following defined clinical pathways. Most Pharmacies now offer the “Pharmacy First” Service.
The following table shows the 7 additional conditions pharmacists can now manage across various age ranges and includes prescribing antibiotics where they are needed.
| Clinical pathway | Age range |
|---|---|
| Acute otitis media (ear infection) | 1 to 17 years |
| Impetigo | 1 year and over |
| Infected insect bites | 1 year and over |
| Shingles | 18 years and over |
| Sinusitis | 12 years and over |
| Sore throat | 5 years and over |
| Uncomplicated urinary tract infections | Women 16-64 years |
If the Pharmacist feels you would benefit from input from a GP rather than them, they will contact us and ask us to arrange a consultation with you.
Please consider contacting the “Pharmacy First” before submitting a patient triage form for one of these conditions, as we will signpost you to this service if you meet the criteria.
Extended access
Appointments with GPs, Nurses, Health Care Assistants, pharmacists and first contact physio’s are now available within our extended access service.
This service operates 6:30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and between 9am to 5pm Saturday in conjunction with our Primary care network.
These appointments may not at the Maples but at another PCN Practice or by telephone. Please speak to our patient care services team for more information and availability.
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
Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- using the GP online system: SystmOnline
- phone us on 01992 450040 during opening times and follow the guidance given on the recording to cancel an appointment
If you need help when we are closed
If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or call 111.
NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
If you need help with your appointment
Please inform us on your online consultation form:
- 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, by video call or by text or email
- if you need an interpreter
- if you have any other access or communication needs
Why can’t I get an appointment?
GP practices across the country are experiencing significant and growing strain with declining GP numbers, rising demand and financial constraints affecting how many appointments can be offered to patients. Find out how The Maples are impacted by the difficulties.