Appointments

Appointments can be booked by telephoning the practice on 0844 445 2221, by internet or by personal attendances. We aim to offer appointments within 48 hours for non-urgent matters. Emergencies are seen on the same day. Appointments are offered with either a particular doctor or the nurse and while the practice will try to accommodate patient preferences where possible, this is subject to availability of appointments.

Appointments can be booked from 8.30am on the same day on which an appointment is required.

Emergency appointments are allocated at the end of each doctors afternoon sessions where patients can be seen for a single urgent problem. These appointments are for 10 minutes and are made at the discretion of the doctor.

Making an appointment online

The practice also offers the options of booking appointments through the internet. These appointments are for routine (i.e. non urgent) matters and offers patients the convenience of booking at any time. This option is provided via the EMISaccess service. Please click here to book if you are already registered with the service. If you would like to be registered for the online appointments option, please contact us.

Emergency calls

During the daytime, please telephone the practice and your message will be relayed to the doctor.

The Out of Hours service, i.e. evenings and weekends, is provided by PELC (Partnerships of East London Cooperatives) and can be accessed by telephoning 0845 075 0494. This is commissioned by Waltham Forest PCT This service is for urgent medical problems arising out of normal surgery hours and for emergency consultation only.

You can also contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for urgent medical matters or advice.

Please think before you call. Please help the doctors and other patients by being considerate.

Download Our Appointments Leaflet

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Other sources of medical advice and help:

• For urgent advice please contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit the NHS Direct online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
• For accidents and serious medical emergencies, please attend the A & E department at Whipps Cross Hospital.
• The local pharmacists provide a valuable service on advising on minor aliments, chronic conditions and queries about medications.
• The internet provides useful information on various medical conditions and management.

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Doctors and nurses absence

Doctors and nurses absences from the practice during illness or holidays are normally covered by the other doctors and nurses. Locum staff are used as and when necessary.

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Disabled Access

There is a wheelchair accessible entrance and disabled toilet. Please contact the reception staff if you require additional assistance.

Parking bays are available outside the Grove Medical Centre under the Pay and Display scheme operated by the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

For visitors with special requirements such as hearing and visual communication difficulties, please inform a member of the reception team, who will be able to assist

Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 10:00 if you require a home visit.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

You can be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Telephone advice and results

Doctors and nurses are available for emergency telephone consultations during normal opening hours. They are also available for telephone consultations for non-emergency medical matters and advice on results. Telephone enquires for repeat prescriptions, results and non-urgent matters should be made between 11.00am and 12 noon.

Please remember that a number of matters can be discussed on the telephone without having to attend the practice. This will save you time and allow the practice to offer appointments to those whose illness requires them to attend the practice.

Teaching Practice

The practice is involved in teaching medical students and healthcare assistants who may be present during some of the consultations.

This is a vital part of their training and they are also bound by the rules of confidentiality.

However, we respect your right to privacy. Please inform the receptionist if you wish to see the doctor/nurse alone.