Top tips for accessing your GP practice

Advice and Information - 9 July 2025

"I need to see a doctor!"

Who will I see at my GP practice? What are the different types of appointment? How do I share feedback about my GP?
A doctor using a stethoscope to check up on a young patient, who is there with her father.

We published our report on Accessing GP Services in Gloucestershire in 2024.

We found that:
  • 56% of respondents had changed the way they access their GP in the past year.
  • Poor communication causes confusion and frustration about appointment booking processes, triage systems, and the roles of different healthcare professionals.
In response to this, Healthwatch Gloucestershire have developed this information booklet in collaboration with NHS Gloucestershire and the Local Medical Committee, as well as patient groups. The aim is to provide information on the different staff roles and services people might see at their GP practice, as well as other helpful tips and advice.

Downloads

File download
Top tips for accessing your GP practice - booklet
Download (PDF 7.19 MB)

What does the booklet cover?

Who might I see at the GP practice?

  • Practice Team
  • Wider Team

Registering at a practice

  • What to do when in full-time education elsewhere
  • Moving to a different GP practice

Making an appointment

  • How to book, change or cancel an appointment
  • Reasonable Adjustments
  • Accessible Information Standard

How do I leave feedback?

Comments, compliments and complaints

Information for:

  • Carers
  • Veterans
  • Patients with a Learning Disability and/or Autism

Community Pharmacy

How to use the right service e.g. Urgent Treatment Centres

Using the NHS App

Local services

  • NHS 111
  • Minor Injury and Illness Units
  • Emergency Departments
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Dentistry
  • Other Useful Links
  • Comments and Complaints
  • Support Services

We hope you find this booklet useful. Is there anything else you would like to include? If so, get in touch and we will try to include it in the next edition.

Do you need this information in other languages, large print or Braille?

Take five minutes to share your experiences

NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there might be things that can be improved for you and your loved ones, both in the area you live in and across the country.

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