Loughton Health Centre Tel: 0208 502 6000

Appointments

Loughton Health CentreAppointments

You can make an appointment with the doctor or nurse by phone, online, or by coming into the practice. You can also use our online form on the home page. A doctor or nurse may check your query first to make sure you get the right type of appointment.

It’s easy to book online too. Just ask one of our team how to sign up. Our main surgery times are:

  • 8:30am to 12:00pm

  • 2:30pm to 6:30pm
    Monday to Friday.

Each person needs their own appointment.

We also offer evening and weekend appointments at our Buckhurst Hill site. These can be by phone or in person. Ask our team for details.

doctor and patient in a meeting

Appointments are usually 10–15 minutes long. If you have more than one problem to talk about, please book another appointment.
Some same-day appointments are kept for emergencies, and there are special emergency slots for children.

Sending medical photos
If your doctor asks for photos:

  • Make sure the pictures are clear and taken in good light.

  • If asked, put a ruler in the photo to show size.

  • The photos will be saved in your medical record and may be shared with other doctors or nurses to help with your care.

  • If you’re worried about this, talk to your doctor first.

  • Please do not send photos of private body parts.

Each day, we have a duty doctor for urgent problems that can’t wait until the next day. These are short 10-minute appointments and should only be used for urgent needs, not routine issues.

In an emergency

  • Call 0208 502 5000 and give your name, address, phone number, your GP’s name, and the problem.
  • At night, our answering machine will give you the Out of Hours contact details.
  • If you have chest pain, call an ambulance and go to hospital right away.
    • If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

    Teaching and Training at Loughton Health Centre

  • We have been teaching new doctors for over 10 years.
  • Medical students from London schools like Barts, Royal London, and UCL sometimes train here.
  • Sometimes a student or trainee may sit in during your appointment. You will always be told first, and you can say no if you don’t want them there.

    • GP Registrars

  • A GP registrar is a fully trained doctor who is doing one extra year of training before becoming a GP.
  • They are supervised by an experienced GP at the practice.
  • Sometimes consultations may be recorded for training, but only if you agree.
  • Recordings are private and only seen by the registrar and senior doctors at the practice.

    • Self Check-In System

    We now have an updated self check-in system for booked appointments with the doctor or nurse.

    The system is easy to use and gives you clear instructions on the screen. It will ask:

    • Are you male or female?
    • The month you were born
    • The day you were born

    On the last screen, you confirm your details. The system will then find your appointment and check you in.

    This helps cut down queues and lets the reception team spend more time answering phones and helping at the desk.

    Home Visits

    We prefer patients to come to the surgery, where we have the right equipment and staff. But we know this is not always possible. If you need a home visit, please call reception before 10:00am.

    You can only ask for a home visit if you are housebound or too unwell to come to the practice. The GP will decide if a visit is needed and how quickly they should come. Be ready to give details about your health so the doctor can plan their visits.

    You may also get a home visit from:

    • A community nurse, if your GP refers you
    • A health visitor, if you have recently had a baby
    • A health visitor, if you are new to the GP and have a child under 5

    Sick Notes (Fit Notes)

    If you are ill for 7 days or less, you do not need a doctor’s note. Your employer may ask you to fill out a self-certification form (SC2), which you can get from your employer or the HMRC website.

    If you are ill for more than 7 days, your employer may ask for proof that you are sick. This is so they can pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

    Your employer decides if you are too unwell to work. A doctor’s note, now called a Statement of Fitness for Work or Fit Note, is strong proof and is usually accepted.

    You can also give proof from other health professionals, like a dentist. But your employer does not have to accept this and may still ask for a Fit Note from your GP.

    What is a Fit Note?

    The Fit Note was introduced in April 2010. It gives your employer more details about how your illness or injury affects you. With your employer’s support, it can help you return to work sooner.

    For more information, visit the DirectGov website.