HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TELEPHONE ADVICE?
Please ask a receptionist if you
would like a telephone consultation with a doctor or nurse.
NHS DIRECT
NHS Direct is a 24 hour, nurse-led
telephone health promotion and advice system that can be reached by phoning 0845
4647. If you choose to call this number you will be advised about the best way
to deal with your problem.
HOW DO I...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
You may consult any of the doctors who will see you in surgery by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling into the centre or by telephoning (01634) 291266 between 8.30am and 6.00pm. However we do have a duty doctor on call between the hours of 8am and 8.30am and 6pm and 6.30pm. If you cannot keep your appointment please let us know. This is important because your appointment time can be booked to another patient and thus reduce the wait for appointments.
Arrangements For Urgent Illness
Urgent cases can be seen within 24/48 hours , otherwise you will be offered the first appointment available. These appointments are shorter than routine appointments and, therefore, only one problem (the urgent one) will be dealt with. Routine work such as repeat prescriptions and certificates cannot be dealt with.
NB: we do ask you to consider carefully your need to be seen urgently. Government guidelines stipulate that we should see urgent appointments within a 24 hour period and routine appointments within five to ten day period, however we endeavor to offer you an appointment within this time frame when ever possible.
NURSE TRIAGE
We have introduced a nurse triage service during morning surgery for those patients requesting
an "on the day" appointment. All telephone requests for advice and/or a same-day appointment to see the doctor or
nurse practitioner will be triaged initially by the triage nurse. Please contact the surgery in the normal way
giving our receptionist an idea of your medical problem. Your details will be passed on to the triage nurse who
will contact you by telephone and offer you the correct level of service for your particular problem:
- Advice only
- A prescription
- Appointment (same day or routine) with a doctor or nurse
HOW DO I...
OBTAIN HOME VISITS?
Your doctor may visit you at home
if it is felt that you are too ill to come in to the surgery. If you require a
home visit please telephone (01634) 291299 before 10.00am. If the phone is not
answered immediately, please do not hang up - you are held in a queue and your
call will be answered as soon as a line is free.
Your doctor will usually first phone
back to discuss the problem or assess if a visit is needed. Most cases may best
be seen in the medical centre where we have equipment for tests and special treatment.
Reasons other than ill health (ie no transport) are not generally considered when
deciding whether a visit is needed.
For emergencies during the working
day there is always a doctor on call.
HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TEST RESULTS AND NON-URGENT ENQUIRES?
For results of investigations or other similar enquiries, please
phone the receptionists on (01634) 291299 or call into the centre.
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