Appointments

Honiton Surgery – Total Triage

Get the Right Care, at the Right Time, with the Right Clinician.

How to Contact Us:
🖥️ Use our online form here or via NHS app Available : Monday–Friday, 8am–6:00pm 
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A friend or family member can fill it out for you,
📸 Attach photos if relevant,
📝 Be clear and specific to help us help you,

No internet access?
📞 Call us on 01404 548 544 and we’ll complete the form with you.

🚶‍➡️Visit our reception desk in-person and we'll complete the form with you.

We encourage online requests where possible, as they allow you to give more detail about your concern, which helps us direct your care more effectively.

 

What to Expect After Submitting a Request

• You will receive confirmation that your request has been received and when you can expect a response.
• Please be prepared to attend the surgery if needed, as we may offer you an appointment on the same day as you submit your request.

• Clinically urgent requests: you may be offered a same‑day phone or in-person appointment with a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
• Non‑urgent requests: these will be reviewed by a GP - where possible your own GP - who will advise you on the next steps. This may still include a same‑day appointment if needed.
• If clinically appropriate, you may be signposted to other services such as Community Pharmacy or offered an appointment with another healthcare professional, such as a Practice Nurse, Physiotherapist or Pharmacist.

Requests will be assessed as soon as possible and in the same way, regardless of how you contacted the surgery.

 

Urgent Appointments

If your problem is urgent but not an emergency we would still recommend that you start by filling out an online form. If you have an emergency you will need to contact 999.

 

Advanced Nurse Practitioners

In some cases if you need a same day appointment you may be seen by one of our Nurse Practitioners. Our Nurse Practitioners are qualified prescribers and can deal with many problems and prescribe the necessary medication. However, if they feel you need to see a doctor they can book you into any of the emergency appointments that are available later that day.

 

Routine Appointments

All consultations are made by appointment. The surgery is open each day Mon - Fri 08.00 to 18.30 with some earlier and later times on a variety of days. All appointments are triaged and if it is appropriate to book an appointment routinely or in advance, this decision will be made by our duty team. Please try to prioritise which of your problems you want the doctor to deal with during the consultation as each appointment is scheduled for 10/15 minutes. It may be that your doctor will ask you to make another appointment if you have several problems to ensure there is adequate time. 

 

Telephone Consultations

Not all appointments require a face-to-face appointment and may be dealt with over the phone. Therefore your appointment might be booked as a telephone appointment - please be aware that we cannot guarantee a specific time for the call. You may like to give a mobile or alternative telephone number for the doctor to be able to contact you more easily.

 

Home Visits

Home visits are for patients who are too ill to come to the surgery. Generally, patients are expected to attend the surgery. If you require a home visit, please ring the surgery before 10:30 am where possible.

A doctor will telephone you prior to visiting.

Please remember to tell the receptionist if the problem is urgent. If your house is awkward to find, please provide detailed directions. In an emergency, or if in doubt, the duty doctor may be able to give telephone advice.

 

Nursing Appointments 

In a number of cases you may be booked in with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly. Our practice nurses carry out various procedures including cervical smears, wound dressings and ear syringing. In addition we also employ health care assistants who are responsible for routine blood tests, ECGs, some injections and some dressings.

 

Chaperone

If you would like a chaperone during your consultation, please ask when you arrive at surgery and this will be arranged.

 

Appointment Confirmations & Reminders

If you have a mobile number on your record you will receive a message to confirm and remind you about your booked appointments. You will receive a confirmation message 7 days before your appointment, and a reminder message 1 day before your appointment. 

 

HGV/PSV Medical Examination Appointment  Bookings

We offer these appointments here at the surgery but they non-NHS appointments for which there is a charge (see charges and other non NHS services we offer). When you contact the surgery please let the receptionist know you are booking this type of appointment. The appointment duration is 30 mins (10mins with a Nurse and 20mins with a GP). You will need to bring a urine sample with you to the appointment. The relevant form should be completed prior to the appointment. NB page 2 of the HGV medical form should be completed by an optometrist prior to the appointment with the Nurse/GP. The fee for the medical must be paid on arrival at the surgery for  the appointment. Only cheques or cash are accepted. The arrangements will be confirmed to you by letter after booking.

 

Appointments outside normal surgery hours

We do offer some appointments up to 8:00pm on some evenings, which are outside of normal surgery hours of 8:00am to 6:30pm. We are also open some Saturdays and Sundays. These are primarily aimed at patients who are unable to make an appointment between these normal working hours. If you would like one of these early or late appointments please contact the surgery on our normal telephone number. Please be aware you will not necessarily be able to see your own GP as there are a limited number of these appointments available.

 

Transport Support for Appointments

T.R.I.P. Community Transport Association

The Devon PCT has contracted with TRIP to take bookings for the local patient transport service. The service is only available to patients who satisfy eligibility criteria and are too frail or disabled to use other public transport including taxi services to attend appointments at Wonford or other hospitals in the area. A fee is usually payable to the driver. This is subsidised by the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and is also available for wheelchair bound patients.

There is also a voluntary car service organised locally. For a small fee, based on mileage, anyone having difficultly with transport to any medical appointment at the surgery, local hospital or dentist can obtain transport. Please contract the TRIP coordinator for further information.