Appointments

Patients can make an appointment with a doctor by telephoning the surgery.

We strive to see the majority of patients within 48 Hours. Each doctor will have a limited number of pre-bookable appointments which are available to book in advance.  All other appointments can be booked on the day by telephoning the surgery from 08:30.

Patients may not always be able to see the healthcare professional of their choice, but medically urgent cases will always be seen on the same day by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Our Nursing Team

Our practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and can offer advice about a variety of health care issues. Currently four part time practice nurses and one part time health care assistant work within the practice. 

Telephone Advice

Sometimes telephone advice maybe the most suitable and convenient way to manage a health related problem.  Our reception staff will be happy to advise which member of our team would be most appropriate to help with your particular problem. 

Telephone consultations can be arranged by our reception staff please advise of the most convenient contact number on which to be contacted and a member of our healthcare team will ring you back between 12:00 - 15:00. Please keep telephone conversations as brief as possible as the phone lines tend to very busy. Clinical staff do not take telephone calls during surgery times.

Please note that the practice will not provide antibiotics over the phone in line with Department of Health guidance.

Running Late - A Word of Explanation

We can understand your frustration when doctors and nurses run late.  It is sometimes difficult for medical staff to provide not only the best possible care but also to work strictly to time.  We always put your individual medical care above the smooth running of our timetable.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible so the appointment can be offered to someone else.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice.  A Doctor or Advanced Nurse Practitioner will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires a visit and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a District Nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)

Training Practice

Our practice is a teaching practice and as such, at times throughout the year, we will have medical students, nursing students, physician associate students and Advanced Nurse Practitioner students working alongside us. Patients will always be informed if a student is present and permission sought before the consultation begins. We understand that there may be times when you do not wish a student to be present. 

We can only accommodate a small number HGV medicals.  These can also be done by private firms, for any further information on this companies, contact our admin team.