Appointments & Self-help

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Emergencies

CHECK IT'S NOT A EMERGENCY

Call 999 now for any of these:

  • signs of a heart attack 
    chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest
  • signs of a stroke 
    face dropping on one side, can’t hold both arms up, difficulty speaking
  • sudden confusion (delirium) 
    cannot be sure of own name or age
  • suicide attempt 
    by taking something or self-harming
  • severe difficulty breathing 
    not being able to get words out, choking or gasping
  • heavy bleeding 
    spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle
  • severe injuries 
    after a serious accident
  • seizure (fit) 
    shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (can’t be woken up)
  • sudden, rapid swelling 
    of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue
  • labour or childbirth 
    waters breaking, more frequent intense cramps (contractions), baby coming, or just born

Self Referrals

PHARMACY FIRST

The following table shows the 7 conditions pharmacists can manage across various age ranges.

Clinical pathway Age range
Acute otitis media* 1 to 17 years
Impetigo 1 year and over
Infected insect bites 1 year and over
Shingles 18 years and over
Sinusitis 12 years and over
Sore throat 5 years and over
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections Women 16-64 years

Please click on the link to access this service:

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/a-z-services/pharmacy-first

 

Part of the pharmacy first scheme, Boots Pharmacists can help you with regular supplies of your oral contraception, as well as help with starting contraception for the first time, or after you have had a break from contraception. The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service is free of charge and is available in selected stores in England only.

Please click on the link to find your nearest Boots Pharmacy

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/a-z-services/nhs-pharmacy-contraception-service?srsltid=AfmBOoqJ6T5yn2PenrSNL1VZscaVk_6cVxIHIBJdQG34dsBApGfzNbDe

SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICE & CONTRACEPTION

Umbrella Health provide free, accessible and confidential sexual health services in Birmingham and Solihull, including all types of contraception, and STI testing and treatment.

This service is non-judgmental and for people of all ages, genders and orientations. Everyone is welcome, and you don’t need to see a GP first.

Umbrella services are delivered by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with other organisations and providers across the region.

Please click on the link to access this servcice:

https://umbrellahealth.co.uk/

Boots pharmacists can help you with regular supplies of your oral contraception, as well as help with starting contraception for the first time, or after you have had a break from contraception. The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service is free of charge and is available in selected stores in England only.

Please click on the link to find your nearest Boots Pharmacy

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/a-z-services/nhs-pharmacy-contraception-service?srsltid=AfmBOoqJ6T5yn2PenrSNL1VZscaVk_6cVxIHIBJdQG34dsBApGfzNbDe

 

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Providing free mental health services for Birmingham, Solihull and beyond.

Free therapy sessions for anxiety and depression, easy self-referral through chatbot (please visit the website and click on the link)

https://livingwellconsortium.com/

The Birmingham Mind helpline provides advice, information and signposting to people with mental health issues, carers, professionals and the general public.

https://birminghammind.org/

SELF-HELP PHYSIOTHERAPY

This service provides comprehensive treatment that empowers patients to improve their musculoskeletal health and encourage return to function, work or sport.

For more information please click on the link below

https://www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/msk-physiotherapy/

NHS 111

https://111.nhs.uk/

Check your symptoms for advice and help with being directed to the correct service.

MINOR EYE CONDITIONS SERVICES (MECS)

Primary Eyecare Services offers a range of specialist NHS eye care services, delivered by accredited optometrists, with appointments at locations and times convenient for you.

Service availability is dependent on which services each NHS region has commissioned in their local area.

https://primaryeyecare.co.uk/

NHS DIABETES EYE SCREENING PATIENT PORTAL

IHI NHS eye screening patient portal leaflet V2 Birmingham.pdf

You can now book or re-arrange your screening appointments (if they are due), update your contact information, and view your screening results and images all online this can also be found on the The NHS App

CARERS & WELLBEING SUPPORT

Route2Wellbeing Birmingham & Solihull is an exciting new initiative which places information about local community-based services at the fingertips of health professionals, other local support agencies and the general public.

https://r2wbirmingham.info/home

Birmingham Connect to Support helping you live better in Birmingham, online information and advice guide, community directory and marketplace for citizens of Birmingham

https://birmingham.connecttosupport.org/

Carers Trust works to transform the lives of unpaid carers. It partners with its network of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness and influence policy.​

Carers Trust’s vision is that unpaid carers are heard and valued, with access to support, advice and resources to enable them to live fulfilled lives.

https://carers.org/

SOCIAL PRESCRIBER

Sometimes, the answer to improving an individual’s health or wellbeing lies not in a medical prescription, but in ensuring they have company, interests and changes of scene to make them feel connected, motivated and purposeful. Or, perhaps, more exercise is needed to keep their body strong and their mind stimulated. Even if people are aware of this, they don’t always know where to start – and that’s where social prescribing comes in.

https://www.healthexchange.org.uk/services/social-prescribing/

To book an appointment with the Social Prescriber, please contact the surgery thank you.

LOCAL INFORMATION TO SUPPORT PATIENTS TRYING TO CONCEIVE

Pre-Conception :: Birmingham and Solihull ICS

DELIVERING EARLY YEARS HEALTH AND WELLBEING FOR CHILDREN AGED 0-5 IN BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham Forward Steps – The best start for our children

REDUCE YOUR RISK OF FALLING

BCHC Simple Things: Reduce Your Risk of Falling

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment please use The NHS App if you are unable to do this please contact us on 0121 203 9999.

 

Halcyon Medical is a teaching practice and students may be present during consultations.  If you prefer not to have students involved, you are welcome to decline their presence. 

 

If you have recently changed your address or contact number, please let us know as soon as possible so we can update our records.


Please be advised that our lift is currently out of service. 
If you require step-free access, we have a temporary consultation room available on the ground floor. Please inform reception when booking your appointment so we can make appropriate arrangements.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

 

Please note that all incoming and outgoing calls are recoded for training, quality assurance, and monitoring purposes, in-line with our commitment to providing the highest standard of care.

 

Referred to a Specialist?

If you have seen your GP and they have referred you to see a specialist please view our Patient Referral Leaflet to find out what to do/expect next. If you still have any questions please call us on 0121 203 9999 or e-mail halcyonmedical@nhs.net. 

Extended Hours (pre-bookable only)

As a practice, we want to make it easier to access the right services with the right person, in the right place and at the right time so we are extending the number of  appointment slots available. 

You can now get appointments with a healthcare professional in the evening and at the weekend.

When are the extra appointments?

  • Weekday pre-bookable evenings (after 6.30pm)
  • Weekend pre-bookable on Saturdays (9am to 1pm)

How do I make an appointment?

Book online or ring the practice on 0121 203 9999.

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 a chaperone (click here for our policy)
  • If you need an interpreter
  • If you have any other access or communication needs

Home Visits

Home visits are for those patients who are too ill to attend surgery and only when absolutely necessary.

Doctors are restricted with the examination/investigations they can carry out in the home.

If you feel you need a home visit please telephone as early in the day as possible. It helps us to judge the urgency of the call if you describe the symptoms, so do expect to be asked.

 

Cancelling or changing an appointment

Please cancel any appointment that you cannot attend, otherwise you deprive another patient from getting an appointment.

If you need help when we are closed use NHS 111 online or call 111.

Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Text Reminder Service

We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.

To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.

Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.

Complete our SMS Reminder Form

Travel vaccinations

If you're planning to travel outside the UK you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

View the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice

Private Medical Examinations

Medical examinations for special purposes such as pre-employment, fitness to travel, elderly drivers, fitness to undertake sports etc., will require longer than a routine appointment.

These examinations do not form part of NHS Services, you will be charged for any such examination. Please inform the receptionist when arranging such appointments.

 

Observer Policy

Halcyon Medical will have present in the practice clinical and non-clinical personnel (medical students, student nurses, doctors, paramedics, work experience students) who we refer to as 'observers'.

As part of their professional development and learning, they need to witness clinical consultations.  Our observers are completing an important phase of their training and your support will help them achieve their learning objectives.

You will be told if your clinician has an observer present and asked if you are happy for them to remain during the consultation.  

Don't worry; if you are not happy, they will leave before your clinician begins the consultation as we want you to feel as comfortable as possible during the consultation.

Teaching and Training

Teaching and Training
Postgraduate doctors in training

Halcyon Medical is a teaching practice and we are involved in the teaching and mentoring of postgraduate doctors in training (junior Dr's). These are trained and fully qualified doctors who have experience in hospitals and now wish to become GPs.

These registrars undertake all aspects of being a GP (consultations, house visits etc), and are under the supervision of one of the doctors in the practice during their time at the practice.

Medical Students

The surgery is a recognised training practice and is involved with teaching medical students linked to Birmingham University and Aston university

Therefore on occasions students may be present or involved during some of the consultations. This will only occur if the patient has consented for the students to be present, and all consultation details will remain in confidence.

Should you wish for students not to be present during your consultation, then this will not affect your care or consultation with the doctor in any way.

In addition to attending consultations, the students also sometimes need to talk to patients with certain illnesses to aid them in their training. Should you be interested in helping them, then please let reception know.

 

Page last reviewed: 08 April 2026
Page created: 19 June 2024