GP surgeries listed in Downside
Have you just moved house, has your usual surgery changed, or do you need a GP appointment soon? Start by drawing up a short list of GP surgeries near you, close to your home or workplace. Our directory lists 583 GPs in and around Downside. This helps you find a GP in a specific area rather than making random calls.
Opening hours, access and group practices
Each listing brings together the available information about the surgery: address, GP phone number, published opening hours and location on the map. Check which surgery is open today, the actual distance, public transport links, parking and opening days. A large group practice or health centre may offer extended hours, while a smaller surgery is more likely to let you see the same GP each time.
Calling the surgery: new patients and same-day appointments
A well-prepared call helps the receptionist or care navigator offer you a suitable appointment. Before you phone, make a note of:
- the reason for your request and when the symptoms began;
- the patient's age and any long-term conditions;
- the times you are available;
- whether you live within the surgery's practice boundary, if you are not yet registered.
Also ask whether you can book an appointment online, request a GP online consultation through the surgery's website or the NHS App, or be offered a telephone or same-day appointment.
NHS costs and registering with a GP
In the UK, appointments with an NHS GP are free at the point of use for registered patients. Prescription charges may apply in England, while prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. To be seen regularly, you need to register with a surgery that covers your address, usually by completing a registration form online or at reception. You do not normally need proof of address or ID to register. Phone the surgery to ask how registration works there.
On the day of your appointment: what to bring
Bring your NHS number if you know it, a list of your current medications and any repeat prescription slips. Test results, hospital discharge letters, your vaccination record and letters from specialists help the GP understand your medical history, especially at a first appointment with a new surgery. Mention any known allergies and write down in advance the questions you would like to ask.
Emergencies and out-of-hours care
GPs deal with most everyday health issues: fevers, infections, pain, monitoring of blood pressure or diabetes, vaccinations and fit notes. However, some situations are genuine emergencies:
- chest pain;
- severe difficulty breathing;
- fainting with loss of consciousness;
- sudden weakness, facial drooping or speech difficulties.
In these cases, call 999 immediately rather than trying to book a surgery appointment. When your surgery is closed, an out-of-hours GP service is available: call NHS 111 or use its online service in England, Scotland and Wales, or contact your local GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland.