We operate an appointment system and all doctor’s appointment times vary to meet our patients needs. Appointments are available morning and afternoon Monday to Friday. You can make an appointment up to two weeks ahead. We aim to offer you an appointment with a doctor within 48 hours, but that may not be with the doctor of your choice. If you have an urgent problem that cannot wait until the next available appointment you may be asked to come and wait at the end of the surgery and be seen as an extra patient. we encourage our patients to seek help from their community pharmacist or to look at nhschoices http://www.nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx for many health problems. GPs and practice nurses are in short supply and the demands of caring for frail elderly and people with complex health problems are increasing - therefore we invite people to 'self care' when they can.
Telephone Appointments
The practice encourages telephone appointments. This helps the doctors to prioritise services for what has become - throughout the UK - an unmanageable demand, and ensure that urgent needs are met. We also want to ensure appropriate tests can be done before you attend. Our patients find telephone
discussions helpful; you will of course be seen if necessary. Many patients also prefer to followup by phone to save time waiting for an appointment or attending the surgery. You can also book a telephone consultation if you are not sure if you need to be seen or how urgent your problem is, or if you feel your query could be addressed without a face to face appointment. If you need to be seen, the Triaging doctor will arrange this.
Please let us know if you cannot attend for an appointment so that we can offer someone else the chance to see the doctor.
Why a telephone consultation?
Much of what you may want from your doctor doesn’t require you to be at the surgery - a phone call can save time all round.
Advantages to you are:
*quick access to appropriate medical advice from a doctor
*flexibility - no need to take time off work or other commitments until it is necessary.
* tests can be arranged if needed prior to your being seen so that the results are available.
*a nurse or pharmacist appointment can be arranged if more appropriate.
*medication reviews can usually be done over the phone, at least initially.
*we can often redirect you to more appropriate services e.g. NHS Eye Care services, sexual health, mental health support / psychological therapies, Carer support.
*reliable trustworthy information can be provided e.g. websites, phone numbers or support groups.
GPs are in very short supply and are spread very thinly, so appropriate use of our time ensures that serious illness is less likely to be missed.
*phone consultations ensure that face to face meetings are more efficient and effective.
*the doctor can ensure that those with urgent problems are given priority.
How the system works
When you ring the surgery, the receptionist will ask you for brief information about your problem. This information is passed to the doctor and assists in prioritising phone calls.
You can have a call in the morning or the afternoon on the day you would like to be seen.
Please ensure we have an up to date address, phone number and email address for you.
We have prebooked and same day consultations. Doctors arrange their own follow-up phone calls when required.
Please keep your phone to hand! We cannot keep calling people repeatedly!
Be aware that the doctor will go through the phone calls in order of medical priority, so you will be told ‘morning’ or ‘afternoon’ rather than a specific time.
If there is a better time (e.g. coffee break) or less convenient (e.g. school run) please tell the receptionist.
Think about what you want to say / might need – this helps you & the doctor use the time well.
IMPORTANT: Some helpful advice for all our patients
* If your issue is not urgent, please book to speak to the doctor who knows your case. This includes sick note requests, medication reviews and chronic condition reviews (especially mental health). Continuity of care is better for patients and doctors, it saves time for everyone, means you do not have to repeat your story to someone new, and reduces the risk of inappropriate treatment or tests - thus greatly improving patient safety and satisfaction.
*We urge you to register for on line access - this will enable you to see your notes if you wish, and to order your prescriptions directly from the practice.
Nurse appointments
Our practice nurses are usually available to deal with the following:-
- Rashes and earache
- Cystitis and urinary problems
- Heart, diabetic. asthma and epilepsy reviews
- Immunisation and travel vaccinations
- Ear syringing
- Oral contraception, smear tests, emergency contraception, coil checks
- Lifestyle advice healthy eating, alchohol intake, excercise, stopping smoking
- Chronic illness checks
This allows Doctors to deal with more complicated issues this means that you can get seen sooner and shorten the waiting time for those needing to see the GP.
Emergencies
Whatever the day or time, if you or someone else experiences severe chest pain, loss of blood, breathing difficulties, or suspected broken bones, go to your nearest Accident & Emergency department or call 999. Accident & Emergency Departments are open 24 hours a day 365 days a year and provide emergency care.
When the Surgery is closed
Outside of the opening hours you need to ring 111. This service should be used if you need medical help fast but it is not life threatening. This service is called NHS111 and ensures that patients receive the right medical care, from the right person, in the right time and place. A trained adviser will ask you questions to find out what is wrong, give you medical advice and direct you to someone who can help you, like an out-of-hours doctor or community nurse. The 111 telephone number is free to ring from landlines or mobiles 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Telephone contact with the Doctor or Nurse
The reception staff are not allowed to interrupt the Doctors or Nurses during appointments but will take a message for you. Please ensure we have your up to date contact numbers.
Home Visits
If possible please try to telephone before 10am. A doctor or nurse will phone you back. House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.
Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the practice.
Online Booking appointments
We have available online booking slots which patients can book if they register online, to register online you must come and see reception with 2 forms of ID. They will be able to print off the information you require, to get you set up online and start booking.