The GP Out-of-Hours Service is for urgent complaints that really cannot wait until you can see your own GP. The GP Out-of-Hours Service does not replace your GP. We are only available for emergencies outside of office hours and on public holidays.
Check if you need to contact the GP Out-of-Hours Service.
Everyone sometimes wonders if a visit to the GP or GP urgent care is necessary.
On our website, you can easily see if you need to see a doctor.
You will answer a number of questions and be told immediately whether you need to go to the GP urgent care centre. If this is the case, we will call you during opening hours on the telephone number you have provided. Outside of opening hours, you can call your own GP.
What information do we need from you?
Gather before you contact us, the following data:
- Name and initials, date of birth and address
- Burger Service Number (BSN), we cannot help you without a BSN
- The telephone number and location from which you are calling
- The name of your own GP
- Your medical history
- A list of your medications and, if necessary, the temperature
- A valid proof of identity
- Check if you need to contact the GP Out-of-Hours Service.
If you are calling on behalf of someone else, please ensure you are with that person. We also need to speak to the person who is unwell.
How do I get through to the GP out-of-hours service on the phone?
The phone is answered by a triage nurse. A triage nurse is a healthcare professional who is specially trained to assess your symptoms and determine what care is needed. The triage nurse will ask you all sorts of questions about your symptoms over the phone. Your answers will help them make a good assessment of the urgency and what help is required.
Often, advice over the phone is sufficient.
Sometimes it is necessary to come to the GP Out-of-Hours Service. We will then make an appointment.
On rare occasions, it may be decided that the GP will visit you at home. This depends on your medical situation.
It can get very busy sometimes. Assessing a medical situation takes time. A phone call lasts an average of 10 minutes.
The telephone conversation with the triage nurse is recorded and kept. The recorded conversations are subject to medical confidentiality and data protection law.
Will my own GP also receive a message if I have visited the GP Out-of-Hours Service?
Yes, if your own GP is located within our catchment area, you will receive a notification from the GP Urgent Care Service. This is a brief summary of the advice and/or treatment provided.
