Urgent Out of Hours' Medical Care

The practice opening hours are:

Mon:         8:00 - 13:00 & 16:00 - 19:45 (the practice closes at 13:00 for staff training and re-opens at 16:00)
A single late evening surgery operates 18:00 – 19:45 (which offers non-urgent appointments for those who work and who need a routine appointment to see a GP but are unable to get here during the day).
Tue:          8:00 - 18:30
Wed:         8:00 - 18:30
Thu:          8:00 - 18:30
Fri:            8:00 - 18:30
Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

We offer 15 minute appointments.  Surgeries operate as follows

Mon:         9:00 - 12:00             16:00 – 18:00           18:00 – 19:45 (late night opening)
Tue:          9:00 - 12:00             15:00 – 18:00
Wed:         9:00 - 12:00             15:00  - 18:00
Thu:          9:00 – 12:00             15:00  - 18:00
Fri:            9:00 - 12:00             15:00  - 18:00                      

The practice does not offer a drop-in service.  All GP/patient encounters are by appointment only.

Our last booked consultation ends at 18:00. We cease to take telephone calls at 18:00 and an answerphone message advising how to contact emergency medical services is activated. 

Garswood Pharmacy also closes at 18:00.

Occasionally, surgeries may still be active after 6pm, however, this is because it has been necessary to extend our service with pre-booked emergency appointments. We use the intervening time between 18:00 and 18:30 to deal with patients who may still in with the doctors as they may need to book follow up consultations, blood tests, etc., we complete outstanding admin tasks, respond to messages, secure and close up the practice, etc, however, our phone is switched over to answerphone and if a patient walks in and requests to be seen after 18:00 they are directed to alternative services such as the St Helens Walk in Centre.  Quite often there is no GP on the premises after 18:00.

If you need urgent medical attention between 18:00 and 8:00 the number to ring is 01744 673800 or you can ring the normal surgery number (01744 621670) and listen to the answer machine message. Always have a pen and paper handy when you phone so that you can take down the telephone numbers given out in the message.

OTHER SOURCES OF HELP

If you only need advice or are unsure if your need is urgent, you can phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 and speak to a qualified nurse who will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

You can also attend St Helens Walk in Centre/Minor Injuries, in Bickerstaffe Street, St Helens (tel: 01744 627400) between the hours of:
7:00am - 10:00 pm, Monday – Saturday and
9:00am – 10:00pm Sunday

How Do I Get Help in an Emergency?

If you are confronted by a serious problem such as severe chest pain, convulsion, or severe bleeding call an ambulance (telephone 999) before calling the surgery. This will reduce any delay in getting help.

If you believe you need to be assessed on the same day between the hours of 09:00 and 18:00, contact the surgery and the staff will take your details, speak to a doctor, and phone you back.  Between the hours of 18:00 and 8:00 you should telephone the practice and follow the instructions on the telephone message.