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Appointments

Urgent appointments

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday) during opening times:

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 meet the government requirement of providing an appointment with a doctor within 2 working days if requested but this may not be with the doctor of your choice.

Routine appointments

You can request a routine appointment in advance during opening times.

We will respond to requests within 2 working days.

You can also:

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.

A&E

If you’re thinking of attending the hospital’s accident and emergency department, please first consider how the practice and other organisations may be able to help.

The practice treats a wide variety of illnesses and can now arrange x-rays for possible fractures (Monday to Friday) and our nursing team can dress simple cuts and treat other minor injuries. If you think we may be able to help you avoid a visit to A&E, please ask the practice if you can speak to the duty doctor or nurse practitioner for advice.

Enhanced access

A Norwich scheme offers GP appointments at times outside the normal surgery hours of 8am and 6:30pm. The partnership offers appointments before 8am and up to 7pm already, but these are in addition to that.

The clinicians are not from St Stephen’s Gate Medical Practice and the service is provided at Lionwood Surgery, NR1 4NU.

You may ask for one of these when you call and if any of our allocations are left, you will be given it. Alternatively, in discussion with a member of the duty team, you may be offered one, if the timing of the appointment is more important than coming to us.

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:

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

Requests for visits must be made before 11am, visiting will normally take place after morning surgery. Please contact the surgery directly for home visits.

Home visits are for patients who are housebound or medically incapable of coming to the surgery. It is better for patients if they are examined at the surgery, where clinicians have access to equipment, good lighting, examination facilities and most importantly your notes with your full medical history and medications.

  • You will be asked the reason for the visit.
  • Our receptionists are trained to deal with your call and to do so sensitively with confidentiality.
  • Some patients will be placed on a housebound register so that reception are immediately aware a visit may be appropriate.
  • We rarely visit children at home, as a responsible adult should be available to bring them to the surgery.
  • You will normally receive a phone assessment prior to a visit, which may conclude that no visit is required.

Please remember that transport issues are not a reason for a home visit. This service is only for patients who are housebound or medically incapable of attending the surgery.

Read our home visiting policy in full.

Related information

Health A to Z

Sick notes

Test results

Page published: 5 May 2023
Last updated: 18 February 2025