CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR
Due to an increase of Covid cases we are requesting patient DO NOT attend surgery requesting appointments. Our telephone lines open at 8.30am every morning, and a triage system is in place until 11.30am with the exception of a Thursday which is until 11am. Our reception team are trained to ask a number of questions in order to streamline our appointments. You may be requested to use one of our additional services such as Econsult or Common Aliment service at the local pharmacy. Due to the ongoing pandemic we are experiencing an increase in staff sickness & staff isolation resulting in appointments being Emergencies only. Routine appointments for Nurses and Flu clinics will also only be made over the telephone.
It helps timing if you can give a rough idea of the reason for your appointment. If you are unable to keep an appointment please inform us as soon as possible so that your appointment may be allocated to another patient. Patients who do not attend for three appointments, and who do not notify the practice, may be removed from the practice list. When attending for an appointment please inform the receptionist before taking a seat. Patients can express a preference of which doctor they wish to see. Whilst the practice will endeavour to comply it might not always be possible and, if that is the case, an explanation will be offered. A patient can see any doctor of their choice if they are able to wait until that doctor's next available appointment; but this may not be possible if the patient is requesting to be seen with an urgent problem. The receptionists will be able to provide you with further information regarding appointments.
CHILDREN UNDER 16
Children under 16 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. If they attend alone they will only be seen in exceptional circumstances.
NB we do not run drop in clinics all surgeries are by appointment only
ACCESS TO MEDICAL INFORMATION
Please note that this guidance on disclosure of information is intended for parents of children over 16 and spouse/partners.
From the age of 16, it is law that we cannot give out test results or any other medical information to parents unless the patient has signed a form giving permission to do so. This law also applies to husbands and wives etc. A form can be obtained from a receptionist.
URGENT APPOINTMENTS
The practice operates a nurse-run telephone triage service. If you have a problem that cannot wait, telephone the appointment receptionist. If there are no "on the day" appointments left, the receptionists will take your details and ask the triage nurse to telephone you back. The nurse will discuss your problem and offer the most appropriate course of action. Please make your initial telephone call as soon as possible after 8.30am.