When We Are Closed
OUT OF HOURS SERVICE TELEPHONE NUMBER: 08454 220220
Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust are now responsible for providing the Out of Hours Service. This new service was introduced for Practices in Cheltenham on Monday 28th October 2004 and replaces the Chelt-Doc Service.
As part of the new GP contract, which came into effect in April 2004, GPs are no longer responsible for providing 24 hour patient care. Under the new contract, GPs are responsible for patient care from 8am to 6.30pm, weekdays only.
The Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust is responsible for patient healthcare at all other times, i.e.
On WEEKDAY NIGHTS from 6.30pm to 8am
At WEEKENDS (from Friday 6.30pm to 8am Monday morning) and all BANK HOLIDAYs.
CONTACTING the OUT of HOURS Service
During the overnight and weekend hours, if you require medical attention, you should ring the Out-of-Hours telephone number (08454 220220).
The Out-of-Hours Duty Doctor will give advice where appropriate, or if necessary, offer a consultation at the out-of-hours GP UNIT. The GP UNIT, is based in the A&E DEPARTMENT at CHELTENHAM GENERAL HOSPITAL.
Those who are too ill to get to the centre will be visited at home or taken by ambulance to hospital.
Please note that the night centre is NOT a casualty department. It will not be possible for you to be seen there without contacting the Duty Doctor for an appointment.
NHS Direct
In the case of urgent need when the practice is closed you can call
NHS Direct (0845 4647) to speak to a triage nurse. Your needs will be assessed and advice offered or arrangements made for you to see a doctor.
Please do not ask to see a doctor out of hours unless you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.