GP Practices

Information on GP practices across Ayrshire and Arran

Your local GP practice team are there to support you to get the right kind of care when you need it. GP practices are made up of multi-disciplinary teams which could include:

• General Practitioners (GPs)
• Advanced Nurse Practitioners
• General Practice Nurses
• Practice Manager
• Receptionists
• Physiotherapists

Contacting your GP practice

Before you contact your GP practice:

• use a self-help guide for advice on everyday aliments
• check the A to Z of symptoms
• speak to your local pharmacist for advice on common ailments, their treatments and medication

GP practice teams will have confidential access to your past medical history.

They also provide the link to other health services and work closely with other health and social care workers.

When you contact the GP practice, the receptionist will ask you for some general information. They’ll then help you to connect with the best person for your problem.

In person appointments are being offered if this is deemed clinically appropriate.  

Telephone appointments and video calls using NHS Near Me are also being offered where appropriate. 

You might also be referred to the Community Pharmacy.

For some injuries and illnesses, it may be necessary to speak to a GP. However, there are other clinical experts that work in a GP practice and it might be more appropriate for you to speak to them. This includes:

• General Practice Nurses
• Advanced Nurse Practitioners
• Pharmacists
• Community Mental Health Nurses
• District Nurses
• Health Visitors
• Learning Disability Nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Paramedics
• Health Care Support Workers
• Community Link Workers
• Physician Assistants

A member of the practice team will give you advice and provide medicine if needed. If they feel that your condition needs further investigation or specialist care they may direct you to another healthcare professional like:

• a Dentist
• an Optometrist
• another NHS service

Making an appointment at a GP practice

In most cases, you need to book an appointment ahead of time to speak to a member of your GP practice team.

Appointments can be made online through some practice websites or by phoning the practice directly.

Registering with a GP practice

See our information on registering with a GP practice.

Protected Learning Time for GP Practices

Everyone within GP Practices are committed to giving patients the best possible care and as part of this, GP Practices may take part in a number of PLT sessions throughout the year which allows them to carry out staff training for the whole practice team.

During these afternoons the Ayrshire Urgent Care Service will provide urgent care and support to patients of practices which are closed. Information on how to access advice from a GP will be made available on the participating GP Practices telephone messaging systems, practice websites and notices on the practice doors.

Patients or Community Pharmacies who require to contact a participating GP Practice urgently during the time they are closed for PLT should call the Ayrshire Urgent Care Service on 01563 826930.

See more information and dates for Protected Learning Sessions.