Speaking To Your Doctor Or Nurse By Telephone

It is usually possible to speak to your doctor or nurse if you need to. The receptionist will arrange this for you but she will ask you for some details before passing the message on to the doctor or nurse.

HOW DO I...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT? Telephone: 01282 426840

All surgeries are by appointment. You may see either of the doctors, but for the best care we suggest you see the same doctor for any further consultations about a continuing problem. To make an appointment telephone 426840 between 8.00am and 6.30pm or call at the reception.

We aim to see patients on the day you ask for an appointment, therefore it would be helpful if you could call early in the day - on the day you need the appointment. We generally have more morning appointments available than afternoon ones. If you need to see the doctor urgently please tell the receptionist. It may not be possible to see the doctor of your choice but you will be seen. One appointment is for one patient with one problem.

Patients who are aged between 16-74 and have not been seen at the surgery for over three years have the right to ask for a general health check. Patients aged 75 and over who have not been seen for over 12 months have the same right and may be seen at home if their medical condition means that they cannot attend the surgery.

Waiting Time

We run an appointment system in this practice. You will be given a time at which the doctor or nurse hopes to be able to see you. You should not wait more than 30 minutes in the waiting room without receiving an explanation for the delay. Please do everything you can to keep appointments but tell us as soon as possible if you cannot, otherwise other patients may have to wait longer for an appointment.

Allergies

Please inform the doctor, nurse or receptionist if you have any allergies, particularly to medicines or latex, before your consultation.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN HOME VISITS ?

Home visits are at the discretion of your doctor. Please do not ask your doctor to call unless the patient is genuinely too ill to come to the surgery. Requests for a home visit can be made by phoning 426840 before 10.00am whenever possible and giving the receptionist as much information as you can. This helps the doctors to plan their visits so that the most urgent calls are made first. If you need to see a doctor we prefer you to come to the surgery if you can and we can usually arrange an urgent appointment to see one of the doctors at short notice.

Home visits are time consuming and have to be fitted in between surgeries or later in the day. Whilst we appreciate that not everyone has easy access to a car, the local bus and taxi services are good and difficulties getting to the health centre can usually be overcome. Lack of transport should not be a reason for requesting a home visit! Whenever possible we ask you to try and come to the surgery where we have better facilities for examining and treating you.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TEST RESULTS ?

Results Of Tests
These can be given over the telephone or by calling at reception. It would be helpful if you request these after 2.00pm. The doctor will authorise the results to be given by the receptionist or, if the doctor wishes to discuss the results with you, you will be given an appointment. Please note that it is your responsibility to contact the practice for your results from any investigations or tests.

Laboratory Specimens

Specimens are sent to the hospital daily Monday to Friday. If you are asked to bring a specimen please ensure that we receive it before 12 noon. It is your responsibility to contact the practice for the result.