Hockley Farm Medical Practice: Rapid Health appointments, hours, prescriptions and patient help
Hockley Farm Medical Practice is an NHS GP surgery at Braunstone Health & Social Care Centre, 39 Hockley Farm Road, Leicester, LE3 1HN. This guide explains the new Rapid Health route, when to phone instead, adult/child appointment differences, prescriptions, test results, registration, clinics, access, CQC rating and what to do when the practice is closed.
Use this number for: urgent same-day problems, children under 16, housebound patients, interpreter needs, nurse appointments, annual reviews, medication reviews, contraception advice, NHS Health Checks, home visits, registration questions, prescription issues and Rapid Health help if online is difficult.
Hockley Farm Medical Practice
Braunstone Health & Social Care Centre
39 Hockley Farm Road
Leicester
LE3 1HN
Use the full Braunstone Health & Social Care Centre address. Do not confuse this Leicester surgery with Hockley Medical Practice in Birmingham.
Open directionsDecision hub: Rapid Health, phone, NHS 111, pharmacy or 999?
Use this before submitting a form or calling the wrong route.
Call 999 now
Chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, severe bleeding, severe burns, seizure not stopping, serious allergic reaction, overdose, acute confusion or someone not responding.
Adult 16+ GP request
Use Rapid Health if it is suitable. You complete a short questionnaire and the system helps match you to the right clinician and timeframe.
Child under 16
Do not use Rapid Health. Phone 0116 222 6100 or use NHS 111/999 depending on urgency.
Nurse, annual review or medication review
Do not use Rapid Health for these excluded appointment types. Phone reception or use the correct admin route.
Repeat prescription
Use online services, NHS App, email request or computerised slip. Allow 72 hours / 3 working days.
Surgery closed or Thursday after 1pm
Use NHS 111 if urgent and not life-threatening. Thursday after 1pm lines may be diverted to Willows Urgent Care.
Opening hours, Thursday afternoon rule and Protected Learning Time
The practice homepage lists opening times and important exceptions. Do not assume “lights on” means clinicians are available.
| Day / item | Official listed access | Patient action |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8am–8pm; Extended Access booked appointments 6:30pm–8pm. | Best day for planned online requests and late booked access if offered. |
| Tuesday | 8am–6:30pm; Extended Access remote consultation 6:30pm–8pm. | Check whether appointment is remote or in person. |
| Wednesday | 8am–6:30pm; Extended Access remote consultation 6:30pm–8pm. | Protected Learning Time may affect some Wednesdays. |
| Thursday | 8am–6:30pm, but no clinicians from 1pm onwards. | After 1pm lines are diverted to Willows Urgent Care or call 0116 220 2578. |
| Friday | 8am–6:30pm. | Do not leave prescriptions or admin requests until late Friday. |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm; Extended Access remote consultation available. | Use only if booked/appropriate. Do not assume full weekday reception service. |
| Sunday | Closed. | Use NHS 111 or 999 depending on urgency. |
| Protected Learning Time | Official page says the surgery closes every 3rd Wednesday of the month except August and December from 1pm. | Check the official site before planning non-urgent travel or calls. |
How to request an appointment or admin help
Hockley Farm uses Rapid Health for adult GP appointment requests where suitable. Reception can also help patients who cannot complete the online system.
Use 999 for life-threatening symptoms. Use NHS 111 if urgent but not life-threatening and you are unsure.
Adults 16+ can use Rapid Health. Children under 16, housebound patients, interpreter appointments and listed excluded clinics should phone.
Give one main problem, start date, worsening signs, medicines tried, pregnancy/frailty/immunity concerns and best callback number.
The official page says Rapid Health may let you book immediately online when the triage shows urgent appointment need.
Admin options include questions, letters/reports, sick/fit notes, referrals, test results, repeat prescription request, travel risk assessment, update details and EPS registration.
Hello, my name is [name]. Date of birth: [date]. I am registered at Hockley Farm Medical Practice. I need help with [one clear issue]. It started [when]. It is [getting worse/not improving]. I have tried [medicine/self-care]. I am worried because [reason]. Is this best for Rapid Health, GP, nurse, pharmacist, annual review, NHS 111, Willows Urgent Care or 999?
Rapid Health: who can use it and who should not
Rapid Health is described by the practice as an NHS-approved AI-driven triage tool designed to offer the right appointment with the right clinician the first time. The exclusions are important because many patients will otherwise submit the wrong request.
| Rapid Health item | Official detail | Best patient action |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 16+ | Online booking is for patients aged 16 and above only. | Use Rapid Health if your issue is suitable. |
| Availability | Available from 7am Monday until 6:30pm Friday, excluding bank holidays. | Submit during the week and keep phone available. |
| Children under 16 | Excluded from Rapid Health. | Phone reception or use NHS 111/999 depending on urgency. |
| Housebound patients | Excluded from Rapid Health. | Phone reception for appropriate advice. |
| Interpreter appointments | Excluded from Rapid Health. | Phone so interpreter needs can be planned. |
| Nurse appointments | Blood tests, cervical screening, vaccinations and injections excluded. | Phone reception to book the correct nurse clinic. |
| Annual reviews | Diabetes, hypertension, respiratory and cardiac annual reviews excluded. | Use the review/phone route advised by the practice. |
| Medication reviews | Medication reviews with clinical pharmacist excluded. | Contact Patient Advisors / reception. |
| Postnatal and baby checks | Postnatal appointments and 6-week baby checks excluded. | Phone reception for the right appointment type. |
| Contraception and NHS Health Checks | Contraceptive advice/prescriptions and NHS Health Checks excluded. | Use reception or clinic booking route. |
| Home visits | Excluded from Rapid Health. | Phone the practice. |
Repeat prescriptions: 72-hour rule and safe ordering routes
The official prescription page says patients can request repeats online, through the NHS App, by email request, or by ticking the computerised slip and dropping it into the surgery. It asks patients to allow 72 hours / 3 working days.
Online request
Use SystmOnline or the online prescription route if you have access.
NHS App
Use NHS App to order repeat medicines and choose a pharmacy for prescriptions.
Email request
The practice page lists email requests to lcccg.hockleyfarmreception@nhs.net.
Computerised slip
Tick the items needed on the computerised prescription slip and drop it into the surgery.
| Prescription issue | What it means | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Routine repeat | Needs normal processing time. | Order at least 3 working days before you run out. |
| Processing time | Practice asks for 72 hours / 3 working days. | Do not chase before the time has passed unless urgent. |
| Medication review due | Practice monitors ongoing medical problems regularly. | If review date has passed, book review with doctor/nurse/pharmacist as directed. |
| Electronic Prescription Service | Prescription can go directly to nominated pharmacy. | Ask pharmacist or surgery about nomination if not set up. |
| During consultation | Practice says not to ask GP to issue repeats during consultation time. | Use prescription route separately so clinical time is not lost. |
| Prescription charge | NHS England charge changes nationally. | Check NHS prescription charges/exemptions before paying. |
Test results: call between 11am and 12:30pm
The official test-results page says early-morning phones are very busy and asks patients to call for blood, urine or x-ray results between 11am and 12:30pm each day.
| Need | Official rule | Patient action |
|---|---|---|
| Blood, urine or x-ray result | Call between 11am and 12:30pm. | Avoid early morning call pressure. |
| Confidentiality | Results released only to the patient unless alternative arrangements are agreed in writing. | Arrange written consent before a carer/family member calls. |
| Hospital-arranged test | Hospital/clinic often owns result and explanation. | Contact the team that ordered the test if it was not arranged by the GP. |
| Result not back yet | Timelines vary by test. | Ask when it was taken, who requested it and expected return time. |
Sick notes / fit notes: 7-day rule
The official services page says you only need a doctor’s note if you are unable to work and ill for longer than seven calendar days.
| Situation | What to do | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Ill 7 calendar days or less | Self-certify with your employer. | Calendar days include weekends and bank holidays. |
| Ill longer than 7 calendar days | Request fit note through the practice/admin route. | Give exact dates and work limitations. |
| Hospital treatment | Ask hospital team for fit note if they are managing the condition. | Do not wait for GP if hospital should issue it. |
| Urgent appointment request only for fit note | Usually not appropriate. | Use admin/fit-note route unless there is new urgent medical deterioration. |
Register with Hockley Farm Medical Practice
The practice says it has an open list and welcomes requests from patients living in or moving to the practice area. NHS currently shows the surgery as accepting new patients.
The practice asks patients to check the boundary map before registering.
The practice says online registration form plus additional information form are needed.
Reception forms are available; the practice asks patients using this route to bring photographic ID and proof of address.
The practice says every patient has a named accountable doctor, but you can still talk to or see any doctor or nurse.
The practice recommends new patients undertake a health check with a practice nurse.
Temporary registration may last up to 3 months. After that you must re-register temporarily or permanently.
Clinics and services at the surgery
The official clinics page lists several clinic routes. Many of these are not Rapid Health GP appointment requests, so use the correct booking route.
| Clinic / service | Official detail | Patient action |
|---|---|---|
| Antenatal care | Routine antenatal check-ups by qualified midwife; Thursday 9am–1pm. | Check appointment timing and bring maternity notes. |
| Chronic disease reviews | Asthma, atrial fibrillation, heart disease, kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, epilepsy, heart failure, housebound reviews, hypertension, peripheral arterial disease and stroke. | Book review route; do not submit as standard Rapid Health GP request. |
| Family planning | Clinic offers contraception advice, coil fitting and free condoms; Tuesday 2:30pm–4pm. | Phone or use clinic route; contraception is excluded from Rapid Health GP appointment requests. |
| Mother and baby | Drop-in advice and weight checking; vaccinations for children up to age 5; Wednesday 2:30pm–4pm. | Bring red book and vaccination information. |
| Cervical screening | Smear tests carried out by practice nurses after reminder. | Book nurse appointment when invited. |
| Travel health | Practice nurse can discuss vaccinations for travel abroad. | Book early before travel. |
| Vaccinations | Routine and travel vaccinations by appointment with nurses; flu clinic in late October. | Ask reception for clinic availability. |
| Well person checks | Carried out by nurses. | Use nurse/health-check route, not urgent GP route. |
Disabled access, parking and arrival planning
The official disabled access page says a designated parking bay is adjacent to the surgery entrance and the surgery has a ramp and wide doors for wheelchair access.
Disabled parking
A designated parking bay is listed next to the surgery entrance. Blue Badge users should still check signs and local site rules.
Wheelchair access
The practice lists ramp access and wide doors. Call ahead if access is essential or if you need help from the car park.
Interpreter / communication needs
Rapid Health excludes patients who require an interpreter at appointments. Phone reception so support can be planned.
Carer or family support
If someone else speaks for the patient, ask what consent or written permission is needed, especially for test results and records.
Hello, I have an appointment or request at Hockley Farm Medical Practice. I need help with [wheelchair access / disabled parking / interpreter / carer support / communication need]. Can this be added to my booking or request before I attend?
Doctors, pharmacists, nurses and practice team
The official team page lists GP partners, GPs, GP registrars, clinical pharmacists, nurses, healthcare assistants, practice managers and reception managers. Availability can change, so use this as a route guide, not a guarantee of who you will see.
| Team area | Examples listed officially | Useful patient meaning |
|---|---|---|
| GP partners | Professor Samuel Seidu; Professor Kamlesh Khunti. | GP-led care, diabetes/cardiovascular expertise, leadership and clinical supervision. |
| GPs | Dr Gangadhar Dabali, Dr Mishali, Dr Reddy, Dr Ademola, Dr Khunti. | Medical consultations, diagnosis, referrals and ongoing GP care. |
| GP registrars | Dr Ayodele Eleruweere and other listed registrars depending on current team page. | Qualified doctors training in general practice; you may be offered an appointment with them. |
| Clinical pharmacists | Zainab Ismail, Safiyah Ahmad and listed pharmacy staff. | Medication reviews, prescription queries and safe medicine changes. |
| Nursing team | Joyce Oduro, Usaima Abbas, Tina Kent, Mathene Tandoh, Jayne Haycock, Natasha Fairhurst and others. | Chronic disease reviews, smears, immunisations, bloods, checks and nurse-led care. |
| Practice management and reception | Seema Parbat, Purvisha Mahendra, Julie Regan, Caroline Marriott and practice staff. | Admin, patient navigation, registration, access and service support. |
CQC rating: Requires improvement — read the current rating carefully
CQC currently lists Hockley Farm Medical Practice as Overall Requires improvement. This is important because older inspection history showed Good, but the current CQC profile changed after the 2024 assessment.
| CQC item | Current / official detail | How to explain it |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | Requires improvement. | Do not label this practice “Good” overall in current article content. |
| Updated | 25 April 2024; assessment report published 10 July 2024. | Use 2024 rating date when explaining freshness. |
| Safe | Requires improvement. | CQC found some safety/governance concerns. |
| Effective | Good. | Effective care category remains Good. |
| Caring | Good. | Caring category remains Good. |
| Responsive | Requires improvement. | Access and responsiveness need careful explanation for readers. |
| Well-led | Requires improvement. | CQC said governance structures/processes had gaps. |
| Regulated activities | Diagnostic and screening procedures, maternity and midwifery services, treatment of disease/disorder/injury and family planning. | Useful service-scope context, not appointment availability. |
Map, directions and Leicester visit checklist
Address: Hockley Farm Medical Practice, Braunstone Health & Social Care Centre, 39 Hockley Farm Road, Leicester, LE3 1HN. Use this map for planning only and confirm appointment time, access needs and correct service route before travelling.
Before travelling
Check whether your appointment is GP, nurse, pharmacist, review clinic, family planning, mother/baby, travel health, vaccination or admin. Bring medication list, appointment message, ID/forms if registering, and any readings or letters.
If someone else is driving
Send the full address: Braunstone Health & Social Care Centre, 39 Hockley Farm Road, Leicester, LE3 1HN. Phone: 0116 222 6100.
If attending Thursday afternoon
Check first. The practice says no clinicians are available from 1pm on Thursdays and phone lines divert to Willows Urgent Care.
If you need access support
Call ahead for ramp/wheelchair support, disabled parking, interpreter needs, carer consent or communication help.
When Hockley Farm Medical Practice is closed
The official page says to call 111 for urgent medical advice between 6:30pm and 8am weekdays, weekends and bank holidays. Use 999 for emergencies.
| Problem | Use this | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | Call 999 | Chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, severe bleeding, not responding. |
| Urgent but not life-threatening | NHS 111 online or call 111 | Too unwell to wait, unsure what care is needed, urgent advice when closed. |
| Thursday after 1pm urgent GP-type issue | Willows Urgent Care diversion or 0116 220 2578. | Use practice’s listed Thursday route if appropriate. |
| Medicine issue | Pharmacy or NHS 111 if urgent. | Running out, side effects, emergency supply. |
| Routine admin | Rapid Health/admin request or wait for opening. | Letters, fit notes, repeat prescription request, referral updates, test results, detail updates. |
Official action links used
Use these after reading the practical route above. This guide explains what each link is for so patients do not use Rapid Health for excluded requests.
Official Hockley Farm Medical Practice website · Hockley Farm Medical Centre branch page · Appointments and Rapid Health guidance · Rapid Health portal · Online services · Repeat prescriptions · Test results · Sick notes · Register with the practice · NHS online registration C82053 · Clinics · Disabled access · Team · NHS profile · CQC inspection summary