Appointments
Routine Appointments
At our clinic, we prioritise your health and well-being. For routine appointments, such as regular check-ups, prescription renewals, or non-urgent consultations, we follow NHS guidelines to ensure timely and effective care. Please book in advance either online or by phone. We strive to accommodate your schedule and provide the best possible care. Remember, these appointments are not for urgent issues, which require immediate attention.
Urgent Appointments
For urgent medical needs that are not life-threatening, our clinic offers prompt appointments in line with NHS guidelines. If you are experiencing symptoms that require immediate attention but are not an emergency, please contact us immediately. Our dedicated team will assess your situation and schedule a prompt consultation. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 999 or visit A&E.
Cancelling Appointments
If you need to cancel your appointment, please do so as early as possible to free up the slot for others in need. You can easily cancel by calling our reception or replying to the text you receive. This helps us manage our schedules more effectively and ensures timely care for all patients. Remember, every appointment counts.
Prescriptions
At our GP surgery, managing your prescriptions is a seamless and efficient process. We handle repeat prescriptions, medication reviews, and adjustments based on your ongoing health needs. Our team collaborates closely with local pharmacies to ensure your medication is prepared and available when you need it. For new prescriptions or changes to your current medication, consultations can be arranged with a GP to discuss the best options for your health. Trust us to provide comprehensive and personalised prescription care.
Ordering your repeat prescription is straightforward and convenient with our online services. Simply log into the NHS App or our clinic's online system to request your medication. Ensure you do so well in advance of running out, allowing at least 72 hours for processing. Your prescription can then be sent directly to your chosen pharmacy, ready for collection or delivery, ensuring continuity in your medication regime.
If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to get in touch. You can submit your query through the NHS App, our clinic's online portal, or by calling our reception. Our skilled pharmacists or GPs will provide you with the information and guidance you need to ensure safe and effective use of your medication. We're here to support you with expert advice and clarity on your prescriptions.
Pharmacies play a crucial role in your healthcare journey. Beyond dispensing prescriptions, they offer expert advice on various over-the-counter medications, help manage long-term conditions, provide flu vaccinations, and conduct medicine reviews. For minor ailments, your pharmacist can be the first point of contact, offering quick, confidential advice without the need for an appointment. Utilize your local pharmacy's knowledge and services to support your health and well-being.
NHS App
Experience the convenience of managing your healthcare at your fingertips with the NHS App. This user-friendly app allows you to book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your medical records, and access NHS services directly from your phone. It's a secure and efficient way to take control of your health. Download the app today from NHS App download page and discover a simpler way to stay healthy and informed.
Who's who in your practice?
We aim to improve the understanding of the different professionals working in a general practice, including the skills, experience and benefits that different roles bring to patient care. Services in general practice and the community are being transformed to make it easier for patients to access a wider range of help from general practice, closer to home by phone or online. When you contact your practice for an appointment, you’ll often expect to speak directly with a GP in the first instance, even if that may not be the most appropriate person to help you. In addition to the excellent non-clinical support staff, the general practice team has expanded to include a wide range of healthcare professionals who work alongside GPs and nurses to ensure patients receive the care they need as quickly as possible. This includes clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, physician associates, social prescribing link workers and many more. Over the last few years general practice has gone through many changes, with more than 19,000 staff being recruited nationally. These new roles are part of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) and have already made a real impact in general practice and in the community delivering care to patients.Every GP practice is different, each offering different healthcare professionals who can support delivery of your care, so you access the most appropriate care and services from the right healthcare professional.
How it Works
Stress-Free Consultations
Online consultation is a modern and effective way to get the healthcare you need faster, quicker, easier, and more conveniently. You can get advice and information through online consultation or arrange an appointment without having to wait on the phone or come into the surgery for non-urgent requests. Access online consultation through your device and visit your practice page or use our app. Online consultations are not an emergency service. If it is a medical emergency, call 999. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk. If you are worried about a medical concern that isn’t an emergency, but you’re not sure what to do, visit www.111.nhs.uk or call 111 to speak to a fully trained adviser. You can find out more information about getting help at home from the NHS. To start using our Online Consult system, see the online form on the link below. You can find out about the most common health problems, see information leaflets, check your symptoms, and request administrative tasks (like letters, sick notes and test results). You will see general NHS-approved health advice for the condition you are concerned about so you can look after yourself at home. You can also get advice from a pharmacy. Please answer the questions accurately so we can find the best way to help you. You will get a response from our surgery by the end of the next working day (or earlier) by phone call, text message, or email. If you have any problems with online consultation, ring our admin team on 01942 557736 after 10 am from Monday to Friday, and they will help you. You can also ask for an appointment from one of our clinicians by filling out the online form. The doctor or clinician may want to see you on a video call. After being triaged by a GP, you will be offered a face-to-face appointment if you need one. To contact our practice about your problem, you must be a patient at our surgery living in the UK.
Services Available
The following services are available to all registered patients.
- GP Appointments
- Nurse Appointments
- Well Person Checks
- Child Health Development Clinics
- Child Vaccinations
- Smoking Cessation Services
- Blood Tests
- Travel Vaccinations
- Find and Treat Monitoring
- Stroke and Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Diabetes Testing and Monitoring
- BMI Monitoring
- Cervical Screening
- Family Planning Advice
- Sexual Health Services
- Minor Surgery
- Travel Risk Assessment
How-To Videos and Help
Watch helpful tutorial videos on how to use our services.
Register with a letter
Patient Access
Register without a letter
Patient Access
Sign in for the first time
Patient Access
Book an appointment
Patient Access
Cancel appointment
Patient Access
Request repeat medication
Patient Access
Travel Risk Assessment
Our patients all have access to our comprehensive travel health services.
We use NaTHNaC, a network for up-to-date guidance and resources about travel destinations, set up by the UK Department of Health to help British travellers care for their health abroad. We encourage you to look at this prior to your appointment, you will find travel information and recommendations on the vaccinations you need, plus a host of information on your chosen destination for safe travelling, it can be accessed through google.It is essential that you plan ahead, we advise at least six weeks prior to travel where possible, this is to ensure that we can offer you an appropriate appointment and order any required vaccinations in time for your journey. Please note not all vaccines are available in surgery and you may be signposted to a travel clinic.
When we're closed
Out of Hours
Should you require advice or treatment outside of surgery opening hours, there are a number of options available: During the hours the surgery is closed our calls will be diverted to NHS 111. Calls to NHS 111 are free from both mobile and landlines. If you have a life-threatening medical emergency during these times please dial 999 Leigh Walk In Centre Offers healthcare advice and treatment without having to make an appointment, take time off or rearrange your day. You can find it located in the last building to the left hand side of the main entrance at Leigh Infirmary. It is open from 07.00am in the morning to 9.00pm at night, seven days a week. Telephone number 01942 264002. Leigh NHS Walk-in Centre, Leigh Infirmary, The Avenue Leigh, Lancashire WN7 1HWGP Alliance For bookable appointments on: Saturday 10 am to 4pm Sunday 10 am to 4pm Monday to Friday 6.30 - 8.30pm Please call 01942 482 848 to be seen at one of our Wigan partner hub sites
Phone number and details are here: http://www.wigangpalliance.org/home/
GP Contracts
As part of the GP Contract, all patients registered at a GP practice are allocated a named accountable GP.
What does “accountable mean”? The named GP is largely a role of oversight. It reassures patients they have one GP who is responsible for their care. However it is important to note:- Patients do not need to see their named GP when they book an appointment with the practice.
- Patients are entitled to choose to see any GP or nurse in the practice.
- The named GP works with relevant health and social care professionals to deliver a multi-disciplinary care package that meets the needs of the patient.
- The named GP will not take on 24 hour responsibility for the patient, or have to change their working hours.
Ashton Medical Centre
Patient
Information
Carers
Patient Participation Group
Our Patient Participation Group, works in partnership with the GPs and Practice team to ensure the patients perspective is at the heart of local provision and that services are of a high quality standard and are continuously monitored and improved. Groups also provide practical support in the surgery and maintain robust communication between the practice and the patients. The meetings can be virtual or face to face.
We aim to gather patients from as broad a spectrum as possible to get a truly representative sample. We need young people, workers, retirees, people with long term conditions and people from non-British ethnic groups.
If you feel you would like to be a part of this group so you can have your say then please follow the link below and submit the form.
Policies
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.
However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.
To pursue a complaint please contact the practice who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception.
FAQs
Please submit one online form per problem. This will allow us to gather more accurate information to help you.
If you've moved house, or changed phone number and want to inform us you can fill submit a form by clicking here. This will send a message to the practice who will process your request for you. The practice may be in contact should they require any further information.
The clinician will review your response and get back to you within two working days. We will contact you by phone, text or email.
They may be able to use a relative’s internet. Otherwise they can call the surgery as usual on the practice telephone number.
Parents or carers can submit an online form on behalf of their children if they are over six months old. For children younger than six months, please phone the surgery.
You can submit your own online form once you are 16 years old.
Requests for repeat prescriptions can be made by bringing your repeat prescription slip (right side of your prescription) into the surgery, or online. Please ask at Reception for more information regarding registering online. Please do not request repeat prescriptions by telephone as this can result in mistakes. Please ensure we have 48 hours' notice to check and issue the prescription. Always request your medication in good time and do not run out.
- More efficient and convenient for patients and staff.
- Reduces paper.
- Safer, faster and more efficient.
- Patients don't have to visit their GP for a prescription.
- Patients won't have a paper prescription to lose.
If you don’t want your prescription to be sent electronically, tell your GP.
If you want to change or cancel your nomination, speak to your nominated pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor.
It is important to tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.
For more information visit http://www.hscic.gov.uk/epspatients or your pharmacy.
Yes. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.
Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser. Dispensers will also see all the items on your reorder slip if you are on repeat prescriptions.
You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called nomination. This could be a pharmacy local to your home or work address.
Ask any pharmacy or a member of the reception team to add your nomination for you. You don’t need a computer to do this.
This should not happen. However, if it does and you have not heard back from the practice by the end of the next working day, please contact the surgery by phone, and we will deal with this promptly.
You can submit admin requests such as asking for a fit note (sick note) by going through the online consultation form and searching for ‘general administrative query’.
Please click on ‘general health query’ if your condition is not listed.
A GP or other clinician will review your online consultation form, and if you need to be seen for a face-to-face appointment, you will be advised of this.
If you get regular prescriptions the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) may be able to save you time by saving you unnecessary trips to your GP. The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) allows your GP to send your prescription directly to your chosen pharmacy without a paper prescription.
Find out more about the Electronic Prescription Service visit http://www.hscic.gov.uk/epspatients or speak to your practice or pharmacist.
How using EPS could benefit you
If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP, you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, saving you time.
You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.
You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be time for your repeat prescriptions to be ready before you arrive
Please speak to your nominated pharmacist to activate your EPS.
Disclaimer: NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown above. However it should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spend working in the practice, and should not be used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparison with any other practice.
Average earnings calculation for the year ended 31st March 2023 Declaration to be published on the practice website all GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice. The mean earnings for GPs working in Ashton Medical Centre in the financial year ended 31st March 2023 was £106,773.79 before deduction of employee’s superannuation contributions, tax and National Insurance. This is the average pay for the 1 full-time GPs, 2 part-time GPs, and 0 locum GPs who worked in the practice for more than 6 months during that year.
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