Appointments
We Operate a Total Triage Process For All Medical or Admin Requests
The aim is to reduce waiting times for routine appointments and ensure that when you have an appointment it is with the appropriate clinician and within the recommended time frames, which in turn means that urgent cases can be dealt with more quickly.
The easiest way to request an appointment is to use the NHS app or by clicking the link on the website Contact us about your request - Accurx Patient Portal and then fill in a short form, detailing your problem, severity of your symptoms, how long you have had the problem and any other specific requirements you have.
If you do not have access to online facilities, or just prefer to phone the Practice, a member of our Patient Services Team will be able to go through the form with you on the phone. You will be asked a series of questions which will enable them to fill out the details of your problem, severity of your symptoms and how long you have had the symptoms.
This form is then reviewed by a doctor to assess the best way to help. If you submit your form before 4pm you will receive a response the same day (forms received after 4pm may not be processed until the next working day). If you have an urgent issue between 4pm and 6pm please call the Practice on 01904 608224 for advice.
After the doctor has reviewed your form, you will be contacted either by text or phone. Requests deemed urgent will be managed by our clinical team and will be offered an appointment that day or the next working day. For non-urgent routine cases the reception team will contact you and make an appointment based on your medical needs.
The majority of the time you will be made an appointment at Elvington Medical Practice but you may also be offered one at a Nimbuscare site across York. Nimbuscare is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to be a collaborative and agile provider that cares for its people and patients and is owned by all the practices in the city.
Please consider using self-care or attending a community pharmacy to ask for advice if you have a minor ailment.
Pharmacy First is a national service started in January 2024, to help patients quickly access treatments for seven common minor illnesses. Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice and support decisions about selfcare treatment with over the counter medicines, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
For patients with symptoms of these conditions, we may signpost you to your local pharmacy or arrange a Pharmacy First appointment with your nominated pharmacy. More information about this service on the NHS website.
Mental Health
In a mental health crisis, contact 111 and choose option 2.
You can refer yourself directly to a psychological therapies service (IAPT) without seeing your GP. Self refer to York and Selby Talking Therapies.
These services offer therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for common problems including: stress, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias.
- Loss of vision, including transient loss
- Flashes and floaters
- Occular pain and irritation
- Eye infections that have not responded to treatment
- Trichiasis (in growing eyelashes)
Non-urgent advice: Physiotherapy
Urgent advice: Emergencies
What is an Emergency?
Whatever the time of day, if you or someone else experiences the symptoms below and you feel it is so serious that it cannot wait, go to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department or call 999.
Symptoms include;
Non-blanching rashes (the glass test)
Possible anaphylactic shock (swelling of mouth and throat)
Cancelling or changing an appointment
It is important that you let us know if you are unable to make your appointment.
To cancel your appointment:
- Use your NHS App
- Use our online Accurx request form
- Phone us
- If you are late for an appointment you may be asked to re-book.
If you need help now or when we are closed
If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or call 111.
NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Home visits
If you or your relative is housebound and would like to request medical care, please phone us on 01904 608224 or discuss with a member of our Patient Services Team at our reception desk. Requests for home visits received before midday will generally be assessed on the same day.
Women’s sexual health
Specialist female sexual health appointments are available, with our Sexual Health GP's. These are booked following a consultation with a doctor.
Baby clinic
For scheduled baby health checks appointments should be booked with a GP. These are bookable only with a receptionist over the phone or in person. Baby Immunisation clinics are held by the practice nurse.
Nurse appointments
These are available for many treatments that require nurse-specific care, or are review appointments. Vaccinations, dressing removal or replacement and suture removal are some examples of what our nurses do.
Travel clinic
Our travel nurses offer travel vaccinations and travel health advice. You must book travel clinic appointments in person or by phone, as we need to ask some questions about your plans. One of the Travel nurses will determine exactly which vaccinations you will require and then book you an appointment.
Blood tests
Most blood tests are carried out by our Healthcare Assistant or Healthcare Practitioner. Blood tests can be done no later than 11:30, as samples are collected by the hospital phlebotomy department at midday. These can be booked with a receptionist.
Blood tests can also be taken at The Community Stadium, Vanguard, Monks Cross where a clinic is run by a team from York Hospital. There is no need to book appointments for this clinic, although you will require a blood test form from your doctor detailing the tests required.