There are lots of common illnesses and complaints that do not need to be seen by a GP. Many illnesseses can be managed with time and simple remedies like rest.

Before calling for an appointment, please use the NHS symptom checker, which helps with whether your symptoms can be managed at home, at a pharmacy or here. 

To request an appointment:

• phone us on 01629 583 465 (Matlock) or 01246 590 711 (Ashover), Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm.
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
• click the button at the top of the screen to make an appointment through SystmOnline (this can be used for certain appointments like blood tests).
• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App).

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with. We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

What can we offer on the day?

• Same day face to face or telephone appointments with a GP

What can we offer in advance?

• Face to face or telephone appointments with a GP
• Chronic disease reviews
• Medication reviews
• Blood tests including anticoagulation clinics
• Vaccinations for children and adults
• Family planning and contraception appointments (including emergency contraception, coil fitting, implants, and depot injections)
• Pessary fitting
• New baby and mother checks
• Minor surgery appointments
• Skin lesion checks
• First Contact Physiotherapy appointments

We offer some GP and nurse appointments outside our usual opening hours. These appointments are available on Saturdays, early mornings and evenings. 

For more information, please see here. 

These appointments are currently booked in the same way as normal appointments (above). 

Appointment length

Please be aware that appointments are only 10 minutes long, and this includes time for the doctor to type up your appointment, prescribe any medication, do any referrals, and get ready for the next patient. 10 minutes can go very quickly! If you have a list of issues to discuss, please tell reception before your appointment in case a longer appointment is needed. Please also make the GP aware as soon as the appointment starts, in case we ask you to make a second appointment. Please do think about the patients who are waiting for their own appointment after yours.  

The NHS has some top tips for how to get the most out of your appointment here.

Teaching and training

We are proud to be a teaching practice, and have a number of doctors in training with us:

• Medical students are training to be doctors. You may see them sitting in with members of the team. They may also see you first, but you will always also be seen by one of the qualified GPs as well if this is the case. If you would rather that the medical student not be present when you see the doctor or nurse, please let reception know when you arrive. 
• GP Registrars are fully qualified doctors who are training to be GPs, and have at least two years (often many more) of experience. They are able to see and treat you in the same way that any GP is able to do. At the end of each surgery a GP will go through any issues that they may have had. If they are unsure, they have full access to a GP who can come into the room and also see you. As part of their assessments, Registrars may need to video your consultation - they will ask your full permission for this and you are free to say no. 

If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. We may phone you first to understand what you need.

To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you phone the practice as soon after 8am as possible.

It is important that we see you at the surgery where possible, as we have the proper equipment and facilities available, so you may only request a home visit if you are housebound or too ill to visit the practice.

If you need a home visit, you may be seen by a GP or other health professionals including nurses, paramedics and health visitors.

If you need to cancel an appointment, please do it as soon as possible so we can offer it to somebody else. 

To cancel your appointment:

• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• phone us on 01629 583 465 (Matlock) or 01246 590 711 (Ashover), Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
• use the button at the top of the screen to cancel through SystmOnline.

When we are closed, please see more information about what to do here.

Please tell us

• if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to see.
• if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, or by text or email.
• if you need an interpreter.
• if you have any other access or communication needs.