Contact us with Patchs
You can contact a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional online using a website called Patchs.
Urgent appointments
To request an urgent appointment for (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- phone us on 01744 892205
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to help you.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
- use the Patchs service
- phone us on 01744 892205
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or Patient Access to book an appointment, screening test or vaccination
Appointments are available throughout the day from 8am to the evening, latest at 6:20pm. Saturday morning appointments are In our extended access service held in a clinic in St Helens. Please ask our receptionists for details.
Early morning and evening appointments are intended for people who work. Please do not book these appointments if you can attend during the normal working day.
Please make every effort to attend your appointment on time. Whilst we make every effort to see patients at their appointment time, it is often difficult to do so, as some patients need longer than their allocated time, or the doctor / nurse may need to attend an emergency. We would appreciate your patience in these circumstances.
Telephone calls
The reception staff are available to answer telephone calls during normal working hours. If your enquiry is routine, then please try to telephone during the afternoon when the telephones are not so busy. All enquiries about results etc. should be made in the afternoon. Please note we do not accept prescription requests over the telephone (unless you are housebound).
If you wish to leave a message for a doctor or nurse or for advice, then please telephone before 10:30am. The reception staff will need to know brief details about the nature of your call so that the urgency of your call may be judged, and the doctor and nurse has the relevant information at hand e.g hospital letter. The doctor or nurse may telephone you back at a convenient time, or you may be asked to ring back to collect a message. When you speak to a receptionist, please ensure that your contact details are up to date.
Please note that your telephone call with the reception staff may be recorded for training purposes only.
Text message reminders
Billinge Medical Practice has a text reminder service. This will remind patients of their upcoming appointments, thereby hopefully reducing the number of patients not attending their appointment. We will also be able to send your reminders regarding health checks (e.g. blood pressure checks, blood tests, medication reviews etc.).
We also use the text service to send relevant information messages to all patients who have signed up and provided their mobile number.
In order for this system to work effectively it is important that we have your up to date mobile number. Please ensure that we have an up to date number for you. Please complete our online communication consent form if you’re interested in this service. If you change your mobile number then please make sure that we are informed of your new number either by using our online form or telling a receptionist.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- use the GP online system: Patient Access
- phone us on 01744 892205 during opening times
If you need help 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.
If you need help with your appointment
Please tell us:
- if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to respond
- if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
- if you need an interpreter
- if you have any other access or communication needs
Home visits
Home visits are usually done after morning surgery, about lunchtime. Please request all routine home visits between 8:30am and 10:30am, Monday to Friday. Requests for home visits outside this time should be for urgent visits only. Please give the receptionist as much information as possible so that the doctor can prioritise the visits according to urgency. Please let the receptionist know how the doctor can gain entry if the person the doctor is visiting cannot get to the door (e.g. door code, neighbour has key etc.)
Please note that visits should be requested for the housebound only. If you are able to get to the surgery, then please make an appointment. The doctor will be able to use his / her time more efficiently if visits are kept to a minimum. Please note that a lack of transport is not a valid reason for requesting a visit.