THE SYSTEM “FOR ON THE DAY” APPOINTMENTS HAS CHANGED  

We are making the changes to improve the following:-

• To ensure that patients are seen the most appropriate health professional at the most appropriate time

• To reduce the waiting time to see a doctor

• To improve access to telephone advice.

Evidence has shown that of the patients’ concerns presenting to a GP on an average day 60% can be dealt with effectively and safely over the telephone. We’ve listened to what people have told us about their difficulties in speaking to a GP and the length of time to wait for an appointment.

We are aiming to make the changes to improve the following:

• Easier to get through on the phone

• Have shorter waiting time to see the doctor

• No wasted journeys to the surgery if you don’t need to come in

• You can save a trip to A&E by calling your the Medical Centre first.

 The receptionist will ask your name, telephone number and brief information regarding your call. You will then be given an approximate time when the Duty Team will call you back that day, usually within 2 hours.  

• The telephone call is to determine the best course of action for you. For example telephone advice, arrange tests or face to face nurse/dr appointment.

Two simple steps:

• You phone the Medical Centre and give the receptionist some brief details
• The Duty Team calls you back and gives you advice or arranges for you to be seen by the most appropriate member of the team.

You can still make a routine appointment to see a doctor :-

These can be arranged in person or by telephoning 01561 377258 or you can book an appointment on line.

Please remember each appointment is 10 minutes long and for one person only

• if you cannot keep your appointment please let us know so that it can be used for someone else

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES HAVE PRIORITY

Phone 01561 377258

LATE EVENING APPOINTMENTS

• We have introduced late evening  appointments every fortnight on a Thursday evening from 6 pm to 8.30 pm
• These appointments are available to help accommodate people who commute or find normal surgery hours difficult to attend.
• Please contact the receptionists if you wish access to these appointments.

Minor Illness Service:

We also provide a minor illness service Tuesday to Friday where you can be seen by a fully trained nurse for minor ailments such as sore throats, skin problems etc.

Telephone Consultations

The nurses and doctors offer the facility of obtaining advice over the telephone.  To arrange a telephone consultation, please call 01561 377258 and an appointment time will be allocated when the doctor/nurse can call you back.

We are happy to announce that online booking of appointments is now available.  To use this service please download and print the form below to hand into the practice.  This will also give you access to online ordering for repeat prescriptions.  Each family member will need to fill out a separate form (including children).  At the moment only a few appointments are available this way but we hope to build on this in the future. Over 16's will need to fill out their own form with their own email address.  You are still be able to book appointments across the phone as before if you prefer this method.

Please note at present you can only book routine appointments through the website.  Emergency and nursing appointments will still require you to phone us!

When booking, confirmation of the appointment will be sent to the registered email address- please bear this in mind if anyone other than the patient involved has access to that email - they may also see this confirmation email for your appointment.

On Line Appointments Registration Form

Home Visits

Home visits are reserved for those too ill to attend the surgery.

To arrange a home visit please call 01561 377258 before 10.00 am so that we can plan the calls as efficiently as possible. The reception staff are trained to ask questions about your symptoms. This information is confidential and used by the doctors to assess the priority of your call.

A house call cannot be requested just because you do not have a car. Remember we can see several patients in the surgery in the time it takes to do one house call.

Test Results

If you are trying to enquire about test results e.g. blood tests, x-rays, smears etc. please call 01561 377258 between 2.00 pm and 4.30 pm.  This minimises telephone line congestion earlier in the morning. To maintain patient confidentiality, results will only be given to the actual patient themselves, not relatives or spouses.  However, parents will be informed of any results for children under 14 years old in most cases.