How to get help from your GP

You can book appointments online to get the care you need quickly without having to call or visit the surgery

Register with your GP

A General Practitioner (GP) is a local family doctor and usually your first contact if you have a health problem. To access your GP you need to register with them first.

Contact your GP

Contacting your GP online for help and appointments can be faster, more convenient and more flexible; but you can always call your practice, or walk-in to speak to the reception team.

If you need a face-to-face appointment, you will get one.

You can use a secure and confidential online form on your practice website or the NHS app to let your GP know your symptoms, ask a question, request a prescription or medical note and more.

The medical team will look at your answers to help you get the right care. This could be:

a face-to-face appointment
a phone call
a video call
a text, online message or letter

This could be about your own health or on behalf of a child or someone you care for.

Appointments can be with a GP (doctor) or another member of the team like a nurse or pharmacist.

Urgent, evening or weekend appointments

GP appointments are available seven days a week including in the evening, on weekends and on bank holidays.

If you need to book an urgent appointment when your practice is closed, such as in the evenings or on weekends, you need to call NHS 111. They will be able to book an appointment with a local GP. This could be at your surgery or at another NHS service nearby.

Managing your appointments and health with the NHS app

At some practices you can use the NHS app to get in contact with your GP practice, book appointments, view past and upcoming appointments and view your patient record. You can use it to order repeat prescriptions at all practices.

Watch our 'how to' guides

How and when can I access my GP practice

How to use the NHS App to order a repeat prescription