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Skegness · Ingoldmells · Chapel St Leonards
Beacon Medical Practice: appointments, three surgery sites, prescriptions and hours
Beacon Medical Practice provides NHS GP care from three Lincolnshire East Coast surgeries: Skegness, Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards. The same main telephone number serves all three sites. Patients can request help by phone from 8am or use the ANIMA online consultation system, which also opens at 8am on weekdays and has limited daily capacity.
2. Request coordinatedCall handlers assess what you need and help route you to the right service.
3. Right careGP, clinical practitioner, physio, pharmacy, urgent care or another suitable route.
Main phone
01754 897000
Practice sites
3
Online consultation
ANIMA from 8am
CQC
Overall Good
Fast answer: Beacon Medical Practice has surgeries in Skegness, Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards. All three use 01754 897000. The Skegness main surgery is open Monday to Friday from 8am–6:30pm; the two branch surgeries have shorter hours. Phone and ANIMA appointment access both begin at 8am on weekdays. Repeat prescriptions are usually processed within 2 working days, depending on the pharmacy.
Current Beacon updates for autumn 2026
ANIMA starts at 8am
Since July 2025, the online consultation system opens at 8:00am each weekday so online and telephone patients can start requesting help at the same time.
October 2026 walk-in flu clinics
Beacon has announced eligible-patient walk-in flu clinics: Skegness 3 October, Ingoldmells 10 October and Chapel St Leonards 17 October, each advertised from 8:30am–1pm.
Skegness UTC has not moved yet
Lincolnshire NHS services are consulting on a possible move of Skegness Urgent Treatment Centre to the Community Diagnostic Centre. The current UTC remains at Skegness Hospital unless an official relocation is confirmed.
Beacon Medical Practice has three different surgery sites
Main surgery
Skegness
Churchill Avenue Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 2RN
Main weekday site with the longest normal opening hours.
Always check the appointment site. A booking with Beacon does not automatically mean Churchill Avenue. Confirm Skegness, Ingoldmells or Chapel St Leonards before travelling.
You will be asked for a brief description so the practice can prioritise the request.
Routine medical or admin request
Use ANIMA from 8am or phone the practice.
ANIMA has limited daily availability, so submit early.
Nurse or HCA appointment
Call the main number and use the appointment/nurse route.
The current contact page lists nurse/HCA telephone access from 9am–6:30pm.
A repeat prescription
Use NHS App, SystmOnline, Patient Partner, repeat slip or reception.
Allow 2 working days in most cases, plus pharmacy time.
Test results
Use NHS App/SystmOnline or call the results line.
Telephone results access is published from 9am–12pm Monday to Friday.
A home visit
Call between 8am and 11am where possible.
The duty GP assesses whether a visit is clinically appropriate.
To register
Check the catchment, then use NHS online registration.
Beacon currently says it is accepting new patients across all three sites.
Urgent non-life-threatening care when closed
Use NHS 111.
You may be directed to Skegness Urgent Treatment Centre or another appropriate service.
Opening hours for Skegness, Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards
Day
Skegness
Ingoldmells
Chapel St Leonards
Monday
8am–6:30pm
8am–4:30pm
8am–4:30pm
Tuesday
8am–6:30pm
8am–4:30pm
8am–4:30pm
Wednesday
8am–6:30pm
8am–4:30pm
8am–4:30pm
Thursday
8am–6:30pm
8am–12:30pm
8am–12:30pm
Friday
8am–6:30pm
8am–4:30pm
8am–4:30pm
Saturday
Closed
Closed
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Closed
Closed
Thursday staff training: the current contact page says some services may be unavailable between 2pm and 4pm on Thursdays for training. If you need a particular service then, check before travelling.
Appointments: phone and online requests start together at 8am
Beacon currently runs a coordinated booking system rather than requiring every patient to ask directly for a named GP.
1
Start at 8am if you need clinical help. Phone lines and ANIMA both open at 8am Monday to Friday.
2
Explain what you need help with. The call handler asks enough information to offer an appropriate same-day option or direct you to the right service.
3
You may not need a GP. Published options include face-to-face appointments, triage, physiotherapy and signposting to services such as pharmacy, dentist, podiatry or optometry.
4
Urgent same-day problem? Call the practice. You will be asked for a short description so the clinical urgency can be prioritised.
5
Confirm the location. Beacon operates from three surgeries, so make sure the appointment message or call states which site you should attend.
ANIMA online consultation: what patients should know
Opens at 8am
The practice changed ANIMA to an 8am weekday opening so telephone and online requests begin at the same time.
Daily capacity is limited
The practice explicitly warns that ANIMA availability is limited. If the online route closes and you still need help, use the telephone or the appropriate urgent-care route.
Medical and admin requests
The practice contact page states that ANIMA can be used for both medical and administrative requests.
Digital help is available
Beacon offers Bring Your Own Device support for patients who need help installing or using the NHS App and related online services.
Use the correct phone option instead of joining the wrong queue
Reason for calling
Published telephone route
Appointments
Option 2, 8am–6:30pm.
Nurse / HCA appointments
Appointment route, published from 9am–6:30pm.
Prescription queries
Option 3, 9am–6:30pm.
Results
Option 4, 9am–12pm.
Patient administration
Option 5, 9am–12pm.
Free callback: Beacon’s current contact page says callers are offered a free callback option, which can avoid waiting continuously in the telephone queue.
Do not use the general practice email for medical requests. The current contact page says the admin/enquiries email should not be used for appointments, prescriptions or medical requests, and patients should not send photographs unless specifically asked.
Repeat prescriptions: several routes, normally 2 working days
Beacon provides more prescription-ordering options than many practices.
Method
How it works
NHS App
Order repeat medicines 24/7 and manage the nominated pharmacy.
SystmOnline
Available after online-service registration.
Patient Partner
Registered patients can use the automated telephone prescription service through the main number.
Repeat slip
Place the completed slip in the dedicated post box at the relevant Beacon site.
In person
Speak to reception at the surgery.
By post
Send the repeat slip marked for the Prescription Department.
Normal processing
The practice says most repeat prescriptions should be allowed 2 working days, pharmacy dependent.
You can order up to seven days in advance. This is useful before weekends, bank holidays or travel and reduces the risk of running out.
Beacon is a dispensing practice for some patients. The official prescription information says you may be eligible if you live more than one mile in a straight line from a pharmacy.
Who may qualify?
Patients meeting the rural-dispensing distance rule may be able to have medicines dispensed or delivered by the practice rather than using a private community pharmacy.
Where are the dispensaries?
CQC’s practice description records dispensaries at the Chapel St Leonards and Ingoldmells branch surgeries.
Eligibility is not simply based on living near a branch. The one-mile pharmacy rule applies, so ask the practice to confirm whether you qualify before expecting Beacon to dispense your medicines.
Test results: check online or call between 9am and noon
Once a result reaches the practice, the clinician who requested the investigation reviews it.
1
Check NHS App or SystmOnline. Beacon allows patients with appropriate access to view available results digitally.
2
Prefer to call? The results line is published as 9am–12pm Monday to Friday.
3
If follow-up is needed, the practice may contact you. The results page says patients are contacted if a result is abnormal or further tests are required.
Confidentiality: Beacon normally gives results for patients aged 16+ only to the person named on the result unless another arrangement has been agreed in advance.
Home visits: call early and expect clinical assessment
Home visits are reserved for people who are housebound or too unwell to attend a Beacon surgery safely.
1
Call between 8am and 11am where possible.
2
Explain why attending the surgery is not appropriate. Give symptoms, when they started and a reliable callback number.
3
The duty GP may telephone before deciding what is needed. The outcome could include advice, prescription, hospital referral, ambulance, surgery attendance or a home visit.
Home visits are based on clinical need, not transport convenience. The practice explains that more patients can usually be assessed safely at the surgery because equipment and testing facilities are available there.
Registering with Beacon Medical Practice
Beacon currently says it is accepting new patients at all three surgeries. Registration depends on living within the practice catchment area.
1
Check your postcode in the catchment tool.
2
Use the NHS online registration service. Beacon links directly to the NHS Register with a GP service for practice code C83019.
3
Complete the requested health information. The practice may contact you for additional information while previous GP records are being transferred.
4
Already taking regular medicines? The practice may arrange a medication review after registration.
Current NHS registration rule: you do not need proof of address, immigration status, photo ID or an NHS number simply to register with a GP surgery. Beacon’s registration page links to this NHS online service; if older wording elsewhere on the page appears inconsistent, follow the current NHS registration requirements or ask reception.
The current practice contact and accessibility pages describe support across Skegness, Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards.
Physical access
Beacon states that all three buildings have disabled access, step-free routes and accessible toilet provision.
Hearing and language
Hearing loops are available, and the practice says BSL and professional interpretation can be arranged.
Alternative formats
Patients can request information in formats such as large print, easy read, audio or braille.
Need extra time or another adjustment? Beacon’s June 2026 accessibility update says support may include longer appointments, recorded communication preferences, accessible information and carer involvement. Tell reception what makes access difficult.
Skegness Urgent Treatment Centre: current local urgent-care route
For urgent but non-life-threatening illness or injury, Lincolnshire Community Health Services currently operates:
It can assess problems including sprains, suspected fractures, bites and stings, eye problems, feverish illness, minor burns and emergency contraception.
Talk before you walk. The NHS service encourages patients to call 111 or use 111 online first. NHS 111 may arrange a timed UTC appointment or direct you somewhere more suitable.
2026 relocation proposal: there is an active NHS consultation about moving the UTC into Skegness Community Diagnostic Centre. No final move should be assumed from the consultation alone; the current official UTC page still gives Skegness Hospital as the location.
CQC currently displays Beacon Medical Practice as Good overall, with Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led all rated Good.
CQC item
Current displayed position
Context
Overall
Good
Current CQC rating.
Safe
Good
Current displayed rating.
Effective
Good
Current displayed rating.
Caring
Good
Current displayed rating.
Responsive
Good
Current displayed rating.
Well-led
Good
Current displayed rating.
Inspection
6 & 10 August 2021
CQC assessed whether sufficient improvements had been made.
Report published
27 August 2021
The Good rating should not be described as a 2026 inspection.
Historical context: Beacon had previously been in Special Measures after serious concerns identified in 2019 and remained under scrutiny in 2020. CQC’s August 2021 inspection found significant improvements, rated all key areas Good and took the practice out of Special Measures. The current profile continues to display Good.
Beacon asks patients to give the practice an opportunity to investigate concerns and resolve them locally where possible.
1
Raise a concern promptly. The practice says formal complaints should normally be made within 12 months of the event or of becoming aware of the issue.
2
Use the official complaints channel. Beacon publishes a dedicated complaints email on its complaints page and also accepts written complaints.
3
Consent is needed when complaining for another capable adult. The practice follows medical-confidentiality rules and may require written authority.
Response process: Beacon says it aims to acknowledge a formal complaint within three working days and investigate within 30 working days unless more time is agreed.
The main telephone number is 01754 897000 and is used for the Skegness, Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards surgeries. Appointment phone access begins at 8am Monday to Friday.
Where are Beacon Medical Practice’s three surgeries?
The main surgery is on Churchill Avenue, Skegness, PE25 2RN. The Ingoldmells branch is on Skegness Road, Ingoldmells, PE25 1JL. The Chapel St Leonards branch is on Ancaster Avenue, Chapel St Leonards, PE24 5SL.
What are Beacon Medical Practice opening hours?
Skegness is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm. Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 4:30pm and Thursday from 8am to 12:30pm. All three are closed at weekends.
How do I request a GP appointment?
You can phone 01754 897000 from 8am Monday to Friday or use ANIMA, which also opens at 8am on weekdays. The practice coordinates the request and may offer face-to-face care, triage, physiotherapy or another appropriate service.
When does Beacon’s ANIMA system open?
ANIMA opens at 8:00am each weekday. Beacon moved the online opening time to 8am so telephone and digital requests start together. Availability is limited, so submit early when you need the online route.
How long do repeat prescriptions take?
Beacon says most repeat prescriptions should be allowed two working days for processing, although your pharmacy may need additional dispensing time. Repeat medicines can be requested using NHS App, SystmOnline, Patient Partner, a repeat slip, in person or by post.
Can Beacon Medical Practice dispense my medicines?
Possibly. Beacon says patients living more than one mile in a straight line from a pharmacy may qualify for dispensing by the practice. CQC records dispensaries at the Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards branches. Ask Beacon to confirm your eligibility.
Is Beacon Medical Practice accepting new patients?
Yes. Beacon currently says it is accepting new patients at all three surgeries. You must live within the practice catchment area. The practice links to the NHS online registration service for code C83019.
Where should I go for urgent care in Skegness?
For urgent but non-life-threatening illness or injury, NHS 111 can direct you to Skegness Urgent Treatment Centre, currently at Skegness Hospital, Dorothy Avenue, PE25 2BS. A 2026 consultation proposes moving the UTC, but patients should use the current official location until a relocation is confirmed. Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency.
What is Beacon Medical Practice’s CQC rating?
CQC currently rates Beacon Medical Practice Good overall, with Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led all rated Good. The inspection took place on 6 and 10 August 2021 and the report was published on 27 August 2021. The rating should not be described as a 2026 inspection.
Independent information notice: MedicalPracticeUK.org is not Beacon Medical Practice, NHS Lincolnshire ICB, NHS 111, Lincolnshire Community Health Services or the Care Quality Commission. Site opening hours, ANIMA capacity, appointments, dispensing eligibility, flu clinics, registration status, prescriptions and urgent-care locations can change. Use the official links above for information affecting an immediate healthcare request.
