Contact us with Accurx
You can contact a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional online using a website called Accurx.
We would advise all patients to use the online system as much as possible to minimise delays and to ensure that we are able to triage all requests effectively.
Find out how using online consultations help you get the right help at the right time.
For patients who aren’t able to use the online consulting platform, receptionists will fill out a triage form for you over the phone. Please reserve this service for those who are genuinely not able to access the internet.
Urgent appointments
To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times:
- Use the Accurx service
- phone us on 01744 882606
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
Your request will be triaged by one of our GPs who will decide the course of action needed. We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse, healthcare professional or service to help you.
In order that we can maintain this system, we ask you do not insist on an urgent appointment unless you are in significant discomfort, or you feel your problem cannot wait for the next routine appointment.
We cannot guarantee that you will see a particular doctor if you attend as a matter of urgency.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment in advance during opening times:
- Use the Accurx service
- phone us on 01744 882606
- use the booking link we send you to book your appointment
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
Your request will be triaged by one of our GPs who will decide the course of action needed. We will use your answers to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse, healthcare professional or service to help you.
For routine GP appointments, you may consult the doctor of your choice.
Nurse appointments
All appointments with either the practice nurse or the nursing associate can be booked directly by calling the surgery on 01744 882606.
In order to book you into the correct slot type with the correct person we will ask you the reason for the appointment.
Late appointments
The Kenneth MacRae Medical Centre offers late GP appointments on a Tuesday evening from 6:30pm to 7:15pm through the enhanced access service.
Please note these are for routine pre-booked appointments only. No urgent cases will be seen. The reception area will close at 6:30pm.
Occasionally, due to staff holidays, we may need to change these sessions. Patients will be notified of this in advance via the practice website.
Enhanced access
Additional access to primary care services on weekday evenings and Saturdays is now available. This enhanced access service is delivered by St Helens North Primary Care Network, Monday to Friday 6:30pm to 8pm and Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
A variety of routine appointments is being offered at practice locations across the St Helens North PCN and St Helens.
You will be seen by a local clinician, who will not necessarily be from your GP practice. GPs, ANPs, nurses, pharmacists and podiatrists will be offering these additional appointments.
To book please contact the practice during core opening hours.
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
If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.
To cancel your appointment:
- use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- use a GP online system, for example Patient Access, MyGP
- phone us on 01744 882606 during opening times
If you need help when we are closed
Out of hours service
If you need to contact the doctor urgently out of normal practice hours, please call the main surgery number 01744 882606 to speak to our Out of hours emergency GP service.
Please have a pen and paper ready to write down any additional information that may be given.
Other sources of help
NHS 111
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.
Urgent treatment centres
You can visit urgent treatment centres (also known as walk-in centres and minor injuries units) without an appointment for minor injuries and illnesses.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
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
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10am.
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. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls
You can also be visited at home by a community nurse or community matron 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.
Other local services
As well as our practice, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment.
Local pharmacists
Your local pharmacist will be able to give you free health advice at any time – you don’t need an appointment and many have a confidential area.
Many pharmacies operate extended hours on a rota basis. Call NHS 111 for details.
Minor eye problems
The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye problems. It is an NHS service provided by accredited optometrists (also commonly called opticians).
Dental problems
NHS 111
NHS 111 offers free expert health information and advice 24-hours a day on 111 or at the NHS web page on urgent care service which also offers an enquiry service. For deaf people and those heard of hearing, a telephone service is available on 0845 606 4647. If English is not your preferred language, you can use a confidential translation service.
Out of hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
Text messages
You can register to receive information by text message on your phone regarding appointments and health care.
If you wish to register for this messaging service please fill out our messaging consent form. If opted-in to this service please ensure to update us if you change your mobile phone number.
Data Protection Regulations from May 2018 (GDPR)
Under data protection regulations introduced from 25th May 2018, we will continue to contact patients via text messages regarding the delivery of care if they have provided consent to do so.
If practices are sending messages about recommended treatment for the management of a specific health issue, then this is defined as providing appropriate care for patients, not marketing purposes.
If you would like to opt out of any future contact via text messaging, then please contact reception.