PLEASE BE AWARE THAT DUE TO PATIENT DEMAND WE ARE CURRENTLY TRIALING A NEW APPOINTMENT SYSTEM TO EASE AVAILABILITY, PLEASE BEAR WITH US IN THE SHORT-TERM WHILST THIS SYSTEM IS ESTABLISHED.

Appointments     

We would like to advise that patients are registered with the practice and not a specified doctor, although you are able to see any of the doctors within the practice. If you wish to see a specific doctor, especially if the doctor of your choice is part-time at the practice, you may have to wait longer for an available appointment. In times of doctors annual leave etc, appointments may be with locum doctors.

Routine appointments

Appointments can be made at Reception or by telephone. Appointment books are normally made up for two weeks in advance for doctors and four weeks for nursing staff, if you wish to see a particular doctor please book early. A variety of booked surgeries are run throughout the week with early morning and late appointments available at selected times. If you cannot attend for your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that the cancellation may be offered to another patient.

Same-day Appointments

The practice operates a same day appointment service for patients requiring medical assistance; all calls for his service must be received by 10am, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS SERVICE WILL CLOSE EARLY IF ALL APPOINTMENTS ARE FILLED. If you request a same day appointment,you will be asked by the receptionist for some brief details relating to your condition (All receptionists are trained in confidentiality and have clear guidelines on the information that is required for directing the patient to the right health professional). Your details will then be passed to the nurse practitioner or the duty doctor to triage, they will telephone and offer advice and assistance and if required a suitable appointment. Patients with urgent problems will be seen the same day. Sick children will always be seen as soon as possible.

As a Practice we aim to offer patients, who need to see a Health Professional, an appointment within 48hours. This is in-line with the governments NHS Plan and also is part of our commitment as a PMS+ to deliver effective health care to patients. It needs to be appreciated that in-order to meet this target you will not necessarily be seen by the Health Professional of your choice or at the time of your choice.

Cancelling Appointments

If you do not require, or are unable to attend your appointment - please contact the surgery as soon as possible to cancel your appointment or alternatively, you can cancel your appointment via our website here. Your appointment can then be offered to another patient in need.

Home Visits

Requests for home visits should only be made if the patient is too ill or infirm to attend the surgery.

The surgery should be contacted before10am if at all possible.

In some cases the doctor may feel that the patient should attend the surgery as treatment could be given more appropriately.

Telephone Advice

If you need telephone advice please telephone before 10am if possible and give your number to the receptionist and a brief outline of the information required a member of the clinical team will ring you when he/she is free. Messages will not be left on patients' answer-phone machines in order to maintain confidentiality.

Test Results

The receptionist can give the results of tests to you: please ring after 11am when the phone lines are less busy.

Note that the practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior permission for the release of this data or they are not capable of understanding the results.

When you take your test you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice.

It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if your are advised to do so.

Top tips

Some things to do before you go to the surgery:

● Make a list or bring any medicines
   and pills that you take with you.

● Write down your symptoms.
   Symptoms are the aches, pains
   or feelings you have that tell
   you that you are ill.

●Write down when your symptoms
   started and say what makes them
   better or worse.

● Ask your doctor for
   someone to support you if
   you want help.

● Ask a friend or family member
   to come with you, if you like.

At the surgery:

● Don’t be afraid to ask if you
   don’t understand. Say, “Can
   you say that again? I still don’t
   understand.”

● If you don’t understand any
   words, ask the doctor to
   explain them. You could ask
   the doctor to write down any
   difficult words so you can look

   them up later.