Urgent Care Clinic (UCC)
We introduced the Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) to increase the availability of pre-bookable appointments whilst still seeing patients with urgent problems in a timely manner. This has led to more advance access bookings from 48 hours to 4 weeks for planned, routine care and long-term conditions management. Patient satisfaction with the new system has been excellent.
Here are some FAQs to explain the new system:
1. What is the clinic for?
The Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) is run daily Monday-Friday, for same day treatment of urgent problems, minor illness and minor injury. A comprehensive but not exhaustive list of problem that can be seen is given in the table below.
2. When are the appointments?
Slots are available from 08:30 - 18:30 and are booked in time order.
3. How do I book an appointment?
Telephone the Surgery as soon as you know you need to be seen that day.
4. What should I do when I arrive at the practice?
You will not be able to use the self check in. Please see the receptionist who will check you in and give you a brief questionnaire to complete about the reason for your appointment today. This is very helpful to the GP seeing you. If you need help filling the form out the receptionist will be more than happy to assist.
5. Will I be seen straight away?
You will be seen in order of arrival. We anticipate that you will be seen within 30 minutes of your appointment time but this will depend on the daily demand.
6. If my problem is not urgent, will I still be seen?
If your problem is not urgent you will be asked to return to the desk to book a routine appointment when adequate time can be given to your problem.
7. Are there specific problems that cannot be seen in the UCC?
The clinic is not intended for multiple issues, chronic disease management, medication reviews or requests for fit (club) notes.
We do not count late medication requests or continuation fit notes as urgent work. These are generally turned around within 48 hours. Please be prepared and order early.
8. Can I help myself before seeing the GP?
Remember you can also see your Pharmacy First for minor illnesses, and we have a wide range of self-help materials and leaflets in our Information Area in the waiting room. This website also has a lot of self help information.
Conditions Suitable for Urgent Care Clinic |
Same Day problems |
Chest pain | Palpitations | Slurred Speech | Cellulitis | Severe anxiety |
Short of Breath | Weakness | Confusion | Joint pain | Severe depression |
Abdominal pain | Visual problems | Severe headache | Infection | Self-harm |
Bleeding | Red eye | Fever | Childhood infection | Palliative care |
We give priority to babies and children < 1 year |
We will deal with queries from our palliative care/unplanned admissions care plan patients |
We cannot guarantee you will see your named/a particular Doctor |
Minor Illness |
Cold sores | Cold/flu | Ear symptoms | Mouth Problems | Threadworms |
Abscess | Conjunctivitis | Eczema | Nappy rash | Throat symptoms |
Athlete’s foot | Emergency contraception | Eye symptoms | Nose bleed | UTI/cystitis |
Back pain | Cough | Fever | Nappy rash | Vaginal discharge |
Bites | Cuts and Bruises | Fungal infection | Shingles | Warts/verrucca |
Boils | Burns | Hay Fever | Sinusitis | Wound infection |
Diarrhoea &Vomiting | Headache | Sore eyes | Dizziness | Sunburn |
In-growing toenails | | | | |
Minor Injury |
Burns | Sprains | Bites | Foreign bodies | |
Scalds | Strains | Cuts, bruises | Minor accidents | |
Cellulitis | Swelling | Skin infection | | |