Appointments

At Ship Street Surgery, we aim to ensure that patients receive the right care, from the right healthcare professional, at the right time.

Appointments until 23 November 2026

Until 23rd November, you can continue to request an appointment in the usual way:

• Online: Submit an appointment request through our online system.
• Telephone: Call 01273 778622 and speak with our reception team.
• In person: Visit the surgery and speak with our reception team.

Appointment requests will continue to be assessed based on clinical need and available capacity.

Appointments from 24th November 2026

From 24th November 2026, we will be transitioning to the modern general practice model.

Our online system allows you to request medical advice or an appointment. You will be asked some simple questions about your needs, providing our clinical team with the information they need to review your request and decide the most appropriate next step.

You will still be able to contact us in the way that works best for you:

• Online: Submit an appointment request through our online system.
• Telephone: Call 01273 778622 and speak with our reception team, who will submit a request on your behalf.
• In person: Visit the surgery and speak with our reception team, who will help you submit your request.

Whichever way you contact us, your request will go through the same assessment process. There is no advantage to contacting us online, by telephone or in person, and patients who are unable to use the online system will not be disadvantaged.

Request an appointment online

How it works

1. Submit your request
Tell us about your medical concern and provide as much relevant information as possible.

2. A clinician reviews your request
All medical requests are reviewed by a clinician, who will assess the information you provide and determine the most appropriate next step based on clinical need.

3. We contact you
Depending on your needs, you may be offered an appointment with a GP or another healthcare professional, receive advice, or be directed to another appropriate service.

The online system does not make diagnoses or clinical decisions. Decisions about your care are made by our clinical team after reviewing the information you provide.

Using the NHS App

You can also start an appointment request through the NHS App.

Log in to the NHS App and select:

Appointments → Book an appointment

You will then be taken to our online appointment request system, where you can submit your request.

Your request will follow the same clinical review process, regardless of whether you contact us online, by telephone or in person.

Urgent appointments

If you have a new medical concern, your symptoms have worsened, or you need medical advice, please contact the practice using one of the methods above.

All requests are reviewed and prioritised according to clinical need.

Depending on your needs, you may be offered an appointment with a GP or another healthcare professional, provided with advice, or directed to a more appropriate service.

If you feel you may need care on the same day, please contact us as early in the day as possible.

Routine appointments

For an ongoing health condition, follow-up appointment or non-urgent medical concern, please contact us using one of the methods above.

Your request will be reviewed and the most appropriate next step arranged based on your clinical needs.

What happens after we review your request?

Following review of your request, our clinical team will determine the most appropriate way to support you. This may include:

• A face-to-face appointment at the surgery
• A telephone consultation
• Advice or guidance by text message or email
• A home visit, where clinically appropriate
• Signposting or referral to another appropriate healthcare service

Not every request will require an appointment. Some concerns can be safely and effectively managed through advice or guidance without the need for a consultation.

If you are offered a telephone appointment, please ensure your phone is available and that you can answer during the allocated time window.

Extended Access appointments

Through our partnership with Brighton and Hove Federation, patients can access additional appointments:

• Monday to Friday: 6.30pm to 8pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 5pm

These include remote and face-to-face GP appointments, as well as appointments with nurses, pharmacists and healthcare assistants.

To access these appointments, contact the surgery in the usual way.

Appointments are subject to availability and may take place at a different location from the surgery.

Find out more about Extended Access here

Practice Nurse and Healthcare Assistant appointments

Appointments with our Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants can be booked by telephone or by visiting reception.

These include:

• Annual long-term condition reviews – for conditions such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure, when you have been invited to arrange an appointment.
• Blood tests – where requested by a clinician at the practice or where you have been provided with a blood test form.
• Vitamin B12 injections – when you are routinely due or have been invited to book.
• Immunisations and vaccinations – including routine vaccinations you have been invited to receive.
• Cervical screening – when you have received an invitation.

Cancelling or changing an appointment

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible.

You can cancel your appointment:

• Using the NHS App
• By contacting the practice
• By replying CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message, where this option is available

If you need to rearrange your appointment, please contact the practice.

Please let us know even if you need to cancel at short notice. Every cancellation helps us make the best possible use of our available appointments and clinical resources.

Home visits

Home visits are intended for patients who are terminally ill or genuinely housebound and unable to attend the surgery because of their medical condition.

If you believe you require a home visit, please contact the practice as early in the day as possible.

All home visit requests are assessed by a clinician, who will determine whether a visit is medically appropriate. You may initially receive a telephone call to discuss your symptoms and assess your needs.

Where a home visit is appropriate, it may be carried out by a GP or another clinical practitioner, such as an advanced paramedic or nurse.

If you need additional help with your appointment

We understand that patients may have different communication, accessibility or healthcare needs.

Please let us know if:

• You would prefer to see or speak with a particular GP or healthcare professional.
• You have a preference for a telephone or face-to-face appointment.
• You require an interpreter.
• You have hearing, visual or other communication needs.
• You require additional support to access our services.

We will make reasonable adjustments to support your individual needs and make our services accessible.

While we will do our best to accommodate your preferences, requests for a particular healthcare professional or appointment type will depend on clinical appropriateness and availability.

Urgent and emergency medical help

If you have a life-threatening emergency and someone is seriously ill or injured, call 999.

If you need urgent medical help that is not life-threatening, contact NHS 111.

Find urgent and emergency care services

Brighton Station Walk-in Centre

Brighton Station Walk-in Centre is available to everyone in Brighton and Hove. You do not need to be registered with Practice Plus Brighton Station to use the walk-in service.

The centre provides treatment, information and advice for a range of minor illnesses and injuries. It is open every day from 8am to 8pm, including bank holidays.

Please be aware that the Walk-in Centre may stop accepting new patients if there are already enough patients waiting to be seen before closing. Patients will be advised about alternative services if this happens.

Find out more about the walk-in centre, including wait times and capacity.