Our practice works as one organisation from two sites in Chaddesden and Spondon. Whilst we will try to accommodate your requests, you may be asked to attend at either of these two surgeries if that is where the appointment is available to you.
Our appointments can be booked up to two weeks in advance for all clinicians. This is to allow those who work, need to arrange transport or have other commitments, to plan ahead.
Urgent appointments
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- phone us on St Mark’s Road 01332 224588 or Sitwell Street 01332 673905
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.
We will always see emergencies where appropriate on the same day. During surgeries you may be asked to speak to a doctor or one of the nurses.
They will discuss with you the most appropriate way of dealing with your medical need(s).
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
- phone us on St Mark’s Road 01332 224588 or Sitwell Street 01332 673905
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) or SystmOnline to book an appointment, screening test or vaccination
- in person by visiting the practice
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.
The doctors will try their best to give enough time to each patient, but if two members of one family try to be seen in a single appointment, other patients will be kept waiting.
Self check-in
At the St Mark’s Surgery branch, we have a self check-in system which enables you to check in when you arrive for your appointment.
Should you feel uncomfortable about using such a system, you can obtain help, or book in with one of our reception staff in the traditional manner.
Phone triage
We use a phone triage service, to assess the urgency of requests for same day appointments with the GP. When you call, our reception staff will take your name and phone number and the duty doctor will call you back as soon as possible.
If the clinician thinks you need to be seen, you will usually be offered an appointment the same day or very soon afterwards. Please note that this service is not available during the extended hours appointment times specified above.
Phone appointments
Patients requesting to speak to a clinician during surgery times, will be asked for their phone number. The on duty clinician will then return their call.
Please do not be offended if you are asked for the reason for this request. The doctors have requested the receptionist ask this, to assist them in assessing the urgency of your need.
If you are booked into a phone appointment, please ensure you stay available on the number you have provided for the doctor to call you back.
Please be aware the doctor may be delayed in calling you back. This may be due to emergencies or home visits.
Did Not Attend (DNA) appointments policy
To ensure all patients receive access to a doctor in a timely manner, each patient that fails to arrive for a pre booked appointment will receive a letter reminding them of the appointment that was booked and missed. A patient will be advised of our DNA policy once a clinician confirms a patient’s first DNA incident. Any patient that does not attend a total of three times within a 12 month rolling period will be given a written notice to register with an alternative GP practice.
Patients who do not attend for appointment
Presently more than 15% of all appointments to your GP are requested by patients who subsequently do not attend. This is a disgraceful misuse of the appointment system and results in patients, who genuinely need to be seen by their doctor, having to wait longer than they should do. The number of appointments lost is staggering and runs into thousands per year.
The practice has decided that patients who abuse the appointment system will be removed from the practice list.
Reception
The receptionists are there to help you but have a difficult job managing the volume of phone calls and enquiries. When phoning for medical attention the receptionist will ask you for a few details. They have been asked to do this by the doctor and it is to ensure that your enquiry is dealt with as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Enhanced access
We are now open for pre-booked appointments at Derwent Valley Medical Practice between:
- Tuesdays, 7pm to 8pm at St Marks Road Surgery.
- Thursdays, 6:30pm to 8pm at Spondon Branch Surgery.
The surgery phones and reception service are not available at this time.
We will open our surgery occasionally on Saturday.
Your appointment
However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:
- by phone
- face to face at the surgery
- on a video call
- by text or email
Appointments by phone, video call or by text or email can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
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: SystmOnline
- phone us on St Mark’s Road 01332 224588 or Sitwell Street 01332 673905 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 require a home visit please call the practice before midday on
- St Mark’s Road – St Mark’s Road 01332 224588 or Sitwell Street 01332 673905
- Sitwell Street – St Mark’s Road 111 or Sitwell Street 111
This helps us to plan our daily workload.
The receptionist will discuss your request with the doctor or nurse, who will then decide if the request for a visit is appropriate. The doctor or nurse may ask to speak to you directly.
You may also be visited at home by a community nurse, community matron or paramedic if you are referred by your doctor or nurse
If at all possible please try to attend surgery. We have better facilities for examining you and treating you in surgery than in the home.
Home visits should be requested only when you are genuinely too ill to travel to the surgery. If you have a rash or a temperature, coming to surgery will not harm or endanger others but please inform the receptionist on arrival. The doctor can see several patients in his or her consulting room in the time it takes to make one home visit.