Welcome to Auchtermuchty Medical Practice

One of the many reasons Auchtermuchty Health Centre, like many GP practices in Scotland continue to offer bookable on the day appointments, is to manage demand and reduce backlogs.  When all appointments are pre-bookable, routine appointments can quickly book up weeks in advance.  This is a reflection of the increase in patient demand on the service.   A same-day system helps balance the immediate demand.

Appointments booked far in advance are more likely to be forgotten or no longer needed by the patient, resulting in high rates of missed appointments (DNAs).  Bookable on the day appointments ensure appointments are used as efficiently as possible.

Bookable on the day appointments also offer more flexibility for both clinicians and patients to manage daily contingencies and unpredictable health needs, rather than being constrained by a rigid schedule set weeks in advance.  As an example, should a clinician phone in sick and they have a pre-booked clinic, we would have nowhere for them to go, thus meaning patients may need to wait even longer to be seen.

We offer patients both face to face appointments and telephone appointments, and have a robust procedure to deal with those with urgent care needs.  We also have the ability to signpost to pharmacy first where clinically appropriate.