Patients are requested, where possible, to telephone before 11:00 if a home visit is required that day.

Please note that the doctor will assess you to determine whether a visit is medically appropriate. Ultimately it is the doctors right to decide whether or not a visit is appropriate for a particular set of circumstances.

What is a Physician Associate?

We are fortunate to have, as part of our clinical team, Physician Associates (PAs).  You may be offered an appointment with one of our PAs and the following information is intended to explain their role and their skills.

After completing a 3-year biomedical, life science or healthcare related degree, PAs must then pass an intensive 2-year university course at diploma or master's level to acquire the clinical knowledge and skills needed to work as a PA.  They train in both the acute sector and primary care to gain a rounded patient centred clinical experience. They are trained to diagnose and treat various medical conditions, order and interpret tests, and provide valuable assistance in managing your healthcare needs.

PAs are always under the supervision of a designated named GP.  They work within a defined scope of practice and assist in the coordination of your care, ensuring that you receive seamless and consistent healthcare services.

PAs are qualified to:

• take medical histories from patients.
• carry out physical examinations.
• see patients with long-term chronic conditions.
• perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• develop and deliver appropriate treatment and management plans.
• request and interpret diagnostic studies.
• provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.

Some PAs, who have undertaken additional training and can perform e.g. cervical smears; respiratory diagnostic tests e.g. spirometry; minor surgery; ear micro suctioning; family planning; cryotherapy; tele-dermatology; smoking cessation and; anticoagulation clinics

Currently, PAs are not able to: prescribe; request chest x-rays or CT scans; issue sicknotes or fit notes.

Although PAs are not currently able to prescribe medications they are, however, trained to propose medications that the supervising GP will have final sign off on ensuring you have access to the necessary treatments to improve your health and well-being.

 Regulation & Registration:

The Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) is held exclusively by the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) under the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), and only Physician Associates who are fully qualified and approved will be on this register.  PAs will begin to be regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the summer of 2024.

Appointments are available to be pre-booked with our Nursing team for the following:-

• Cervical Smears
• Childhood Immuisations
• Vaccinations 
• Wound Dressings 

If you have been given an appointment and develop COVID symptoms please DO NOT ATTEND, please contact the practice.

It is important that you inform the reception staff if you are unable to attend your appointment, this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters maybe removed from the list.

You can also complete our appointment cancellation notification request form. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance. (excluding weekends and public holidays). You can also text to cancel your appointment.

As per the new requirements implemented by NHS England, from 1st October 2022 Primary Care Networks (PCN)  are required to provide Enhanced Access appointments between the hours of 6.30pm to 8pm Mondays to Fridays and between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays.

In order to meet this requirement, North Camden PCN which Keats Group Practice is a member of, will be delivering this service to all patients registered with it’s member practices.  

The Extended Access Service will be provided by Camden Health Partners and will be based at the following host sites;

Hampstead Group Practice, 75 Fleet Road, NW3 2QU         

      Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Evenings (18:30 - 20:00), Saturday (09:00 - 17:00)     

Parliament Hill Medical Centre, 113-117 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TR     

      Saturday (09:00 - 14:00)     

Caversham Group Practice, 4 Peckwater Street, London NW5 1UP

      Wednesday and Friday Evenings (18:30-20:00)

Patients will be able to book appointments in the Extended Access Service through their registered practices. Please speak to our Patient Services Team if you wish to use this service.

If the practice is closed and you wish to book an appointment in the Extended Access Service (EAS) please call the service on 020 7428 5701. 

The EAS telephone opening hours are Monday to Friday 6.30pm-7.45pm and Saturday 9.15am-4.45pm.

Please note that the Extended Access Service is run separately to the host sites and will not be able to deal with general queries relating to the host sites during the extended access hours.