We use cookies to make this site work. We'd also like to set optional cookies so we can understand how the site is used and improve it. We will not set optional cookies unless you accept them. You can change your choice at any time from the Cookie settings link in the footer.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are required for the site to work. They store your cookie preferences and keep your session secure. They are exempt from consent under PECR Regulation 6(4) because they are essential to deliver the service you have requested.
Optional cookies
Optional cookies help us understand how the site is used and provide additional features such as analytics, accessibility tools and translation. We will only set them if you accept.
Appointments
Book or cancel an appointment at our GP surgery.
Before you book an appointment
You can see a pharmacist for minor conditions or check our self-help and self-referral information.
See a pharmacist
Many conditions can be treated without the need to see your GP.
Who to see?
Advice
Self-care
Help and support available from many National and Local Organisations
Book an appointment
If you have mobility issues and require a Ground Floor Appointment please make reception aware of this when booking your appointment.
Urgent appointments for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday)
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.
Ways to book
- Request an urgent appointment online
- Telephone: 01473 556767
Extended access
We also have extended access available. See our Out of Hours information.
Book a routine appointment
Our appointment system allows patients to book on the day, in advance, up to at least six weeks ahead, and we are also open for pre-booked appointments on Saturday mornings. Appointment times can vary, but we aim to book you with a GP within 48 hours or with a healthcare professional within 24 hours, although this may not always be possible.
Ways to book
- Request an appointment online
- Telephone: 01473 556767
Home visits
Home visits are only available for patients who are medically unable to leave the house. It is really important that anyone who can get into the surgery, whether by taxi, or given a lift by a friend or family member, does this.
Patients can be isolated as necessary in special side examination rooms.
In the time that a Doctor does one home visit, they could see at least 3 or 4 other patients so please only ask if you cannot leave the house.
Where possible please telephone the surgery before 10:30am. A Doctor may telephone you so that he/she can assess the urgency of your request. Feverish children and patients with infections, rashes or sickness may be safely brought to the surgery.
- Telephone: 01473 556767
Book a blood test or urine test
Blood tests
Please note that Reception will now only book you in for a blood test if it has been requested by a Clinician.
When having your blood test, please ensure that you are wearing suitable clothing, i.e short sleeved shirts or tops which will roll up with ease.
Should the surgery not have capacity to offer a blood appointment to suit your needs the Riverside Clinic runs a walk-in clinic Monday to Friday from 7:45am to 5:30pm.
Urine testing
Urine samples will now only be accepted at Reception for testing if they have been requested by a Clinician.
Sickness certificates (fit notes)
You must give your employer a doctor's 'fit note' (sometimes called a 'sick note') if you've been ill for more than 7 days in a row and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays.
Request test results
You usually don't need to book an appointment to get your test results.
Travel vaccinations
Information and advice for travelling abroad.
Change or cancel an appointment
Please give us as much notice as possible so we can offer your appointment to someone else.
To cancel your appointment:
- Use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- Cancel using our online system
- Cancel using our appointment cancellation form
- Phone us on 01473 556767
Out of hours
Enhanced Access
Patients cannot book themselves into this service. This service may be stafffed by either Practice Nurses, Nurse Practitioners or a GP.
Orwell PCN and Suffolk Federation provide our Enhanced Access appointments, and are for people who urgently need an appointment or are unable to see a clinician during normal surgery opening hours, 8am to 6:30pm. These appointments can only be booked by Hawthorn Drive Surgery and are pre-bookable only.
Subject to availability we offer extended hours appointments at these times:
- Monday to Friday Mornings: 7am to 8am
- Monday to Friday Evenings: 6:30pm to 8pm
- Saturday: 8am to 5pm
Locations
Please be aware that these appointments may take place at any of the following locations or by telephone.
- Hawthorn Drive Surgery
- Burlington Road Medical Practice
- Landseer Road - service provided by GP+
Suffolk GP+
Suffolk GP+ is an NHS service delivered by Suffolk GP Federation. It provides access to GP appointments for patients on weekday evenings, weekends and bank holidays. The service is for people with an urgent need to see a local doctor or who find it difficult to attend weekday appointments.
How are appointments made?
Patient appointments for GP+ are booked in one of the following ways:
- The patient’s local GP practice
- Hospital Accident and Emergency departments
- GP Out-of-Hours Service
You can make an appointment by contacting Reception and asking one of our Care Navigators about GP+. You can also be referred via the GP Out-of-Hours service, or by Ipswich and West Suffolk hospitals’ A&E departments.
GP+ opening times Ipswich
- Monday to Friday 6:30pm to 9pm
- Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 9am to 5pm
If you are a patient and need to cancel a GP+ appointment, please call: 01473 344938 (Lines are open 10am to 9pm weekdays and 8:45am to 5pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays)
Life Threatening
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you or someone you know needs immediate help
- you have seriously harmed yourself - for example, by taking a drug overdose
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency.
Urgent But Not Life Threatening
Visit an urgent care centre if:
- You have an urgent medical issue requiring on the day attention
Non-urgent
Use NHS 111 if:
- You need help now, but it's not an emergency
There will be someone to provide you with advice and to direct you to a clinician if it is necessary.
Dental Problems
We do not deal with dental problems here at the surgery. For help with a dental problem, please visit your dentist or call the NHS 111 team in an emergency.
For older patients and patients with complex or long-term conditions
If you are unwell you may be more at risk of quickly becoming more unwell and might be at risk of admission to hospital. At the early signs of illness please contact the surgery so that a Nurse or Doctor can offer advice to prevent an exacerbation of your symptoms.
Text messaging
You can now receive text messages from the surgery. To give your consent and check we have the correct mobile telephone number please contact the surgery.
Messages can be sent to confirm appointment details and send a reminder the day before reminders for routine health checks/ blood tests and results etc.