Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez has today announced the publication of clearer guidance for patients on how to book, change or cancel appointments at the Primary Care Centre. 

A statement from the Government follows below:

The new guide titled, ‘BOOK TODAY, YOUR GUIDE TO PCC APPOINTMENTS’ forms part of a wider programme of improvements within Primary Care. Following detailed feedback from the PCC patient survey in September, the PCC Taskforce chaired by Minister Arias-Vazquez has prioritised clearer, consistent, and up-to-date information for patients, particularly ahead of the winter period when demand for services increases. 

The updated guidance brings together all appointment routes for the PCC, the Children’s PCC and the various specialist and routine clinics that operate within Primary Care. It includes all relevant phone numbers, the specific calling times for each service, and the different options available to cancel or rearrange an appointment. 

The guide has also been designed with digital accessibility in mind. All phone numbers are fully hyperlinked, allowing users on mobile devices to call directly with a single tap. This makes it easier for older patients, carers and families who rely on smartphones for everyday access to services. 

Alongside this work, the GHA is reviewing the online patient experience, including the current system used for advanced appointments, to ensure that digital routes are clearer and used effectively. 

The Minister explained that the aim of the new guidance is to support patients and make it easier for families to understand the different booking windows for services such as GP same day appointments, advanced appointments for Children's PCC, dental care, routine clinics, and home visit requests. 

The full guide will be published on the GHA & Government website and will also be circulated on the Government’s new WhatsApp channel and across social media platforms. 

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: 

"I know how important it is for families to understand exactly how and when they can book an appointment at the PCC. The feedback we received in September made it clear that patients wanted simpler, clearer information. This guide delivers that. It brings everything into one place and makes it easier to book, change or cancel an appointment when you need to. It is also just one of several improvements we are working on across Primary Care to improve access and make services easier to navigate.”