Contact us with PATCHS
You can contact a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional online using a website called PATCHS.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or our online system ‘PATCHs’ for an appointment, screening test or vaccination
- For any general enquiries, you can phone us at Belmont Health Centre 020 8863 6863 or Long Elmes Surgery 020 8428 4249
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.
Book an appointment using the NHS e-referral service
If you have been referred to a hospital or clinic through the NHS e-Referral Service, booking your appointment online is easy, safe and secure.
You’ll need:
- the booking reference number stated on your booking letter
- the password or access code you were given by the person or organisation that referred you (for example, your GP practice)
If you have been referred but don’t have your booking reference number or a password or access code, please contact the person or organisation that referred you.
Please visit this link for how to:
- check your appointment details
- change your appointment
- cancel your appointment
- cancel your referral
For more information, read about what happens when you’re referred.
How to choose your hospital or clinic
In some cases you’ll have more than 1 clinic or hospital to choose from. The list of options will be the same if you book online or over the phone.
Before you select your clinic and appointment slot, consider all the options.
For example:
- How long do I have to wait for my first appointment?
- How quickly can I start my treatment?
- How far away is the hospital or clinic?
In most cases you have the legal right to choose the hospital or service you’d like to go to.
This will include many private hospitals, as long as they provide services to the NHS.
Learn more about your choices in the NHS.
What to do if you haven’t been referred yet
If you want to be seen at a hospital or clinic, you’ll need to speak to your GP.
They’ll help you decide what care is best for you and make any necessary referrals.
Find out more about GP referrals
Cancelling or changing an appointment
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- using the GP online system: SystmOnline
- phone us on Belmont Health Centre 020 8863 6863 or Long Elmes Surgery 020 8428 4249 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
If you are too ill to come to the surgery you may need to request a home visits, but please remember these are intended for the housebound, bed-bound, terminally ill patients or those whose condition will deteriorate with travel.
If you feel too ill to wait in the waiting room please let the receptionist know and we can arrange for you to sit in another area.
The best care can often be given at the surgery, but If you still think you need a home visit telephone the surgery preferably before 10:30am. The receptionist will need to take some details about what is wrong so that more urgent calls can be given priority.
