Appointments

Following feedback from patients we have been making small changes to the availability of our appointments.  From surveys you report a very high satisfaction with being able to see a doctor or nurse within 24hrs.  However, it appears that some patients are unaware that they can book appointments in advance.  We have therefore increased the proportion of appointments that can be booked – normally up to 6 weeks in advance, and believe that this will improve access.

Approximately two thirds of our appointments are now bookable in advance and one third are available for those who need to see a doctor that day.  To book appointments on the day, our phone lines open at 08:20.

Urgent cases WILL always be seen on the same day and may be assessed by our Duty Nurse who will see you in her clinic and arrange for you to see the Duty Doctor if appropriate.

Booking appointments in advance is often useful if your doctor asks to see you again, for example, in 3 – 4 weeks time.  This can be booked at reception before you leave so there is no need to phone nearer the time.

If your appointment is not urgent, or for an advanced booking, we would ask that you please call after 10:00am so that patients seeking urgent same day appointments find it easier to get through. Why not sign up for on-line booking of appointments, thereby enabling you to book or cancel appointments 24 hours a day!

Standard doctors’ appointments are all for 10 minutes. If you feel you will need a longer appointment, or to discuss more than one problem, please ask for a double appointment when booking.

Telephone Consulations

There may be times when you need advice or reassurance and to come to the surgery would be unnecessary or inconvenient. You may have a question or need advice. Our practice nurse may also be able to help you. Please phone our receptionists; they will be happy to arrange for our doctors or nurses to call you back.

Reasons when you might opt for a telephone consultation rather than an appointment might include:

• Query regarding a prescription
• To follow up about a problem you've recently seen a doctor about
• Medication review
• Extension of a sick note
• Advice

Doctors timetable

Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 10:00 if you require a home visit.

A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a district nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.

House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the surgery.