If you call the surgery during our lunchtime hours 1pm-2pm, our main reception telephone lines are closed. If your call is medically urgent, you will have the option to be put through to our urgent helpline. If your call is non-urgent, you will be asked to call back at 2pm.

We do not run clinics between 1pm and 2pm, but patients can drop in letters, registration forms, and samples. Patients can also collect prescriptions that have not automatically been sent to a pharmacist, collect sample pots, and letters.

West Street Surgery shuts for the afternoon for training purposes once a month. This is called a PLT afternoon, which stands for Protected Learning Time and is commissioned by BLMK ICB. It is mandatory for every surgery in Central Bedfordshire to take part. This ensures that all staff members are up to date on training, including all clinical and non-clinical staff. If you need to speak with a healthcare professional urgently when we are closed, you will be asked to call NHS 111, which is commissioned to support our service from 14:30 on those afternoons.

Out of hours service

If you require a doctor or advice urgently outside normal surgery hours, please call 111. The recorded message will give you the number to ring for the duty doctor or a deputising service. Please note, this service is for emergencies which require immediate attention. The doctor may speak with you over the phone and give advice but will only visit you if they feel it cannot wait for surgery to open.

Evening and weekend access

We offer some GP, Nurse, and Pharmacist appointments in the evenings and on Saturdays. This is called Chiltern Hills PCN Extended Access. Each of the Chiltern Hills PCN Practices is open on different days and rotates weekend access.

Opening hours for extended access:

• Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 18:30-20:00
• Wednesday and Friday: 18:30-21:30
• Saturday: 08:30-16:00

Important note: Not all locations are open in the evening or at weekends. All appointments must be booked in advance. You must book an appointment via your GP practice first. You can get an evening or weekend appointment by calling the practice during normal working hours. You may be asked some questions to check that it is the best service for your needs.