Changes to the appointment system:-
It was noted on our recent patient survey that some people are a bit confused about how we are running the appointment system now.
Though it may appear we may have no emergency appointments we have telephone consultations with a GP every morning till from 8am till 12pm.
This allows you to speak to a GP about your health concern and after you speak to the Doctor, sometimes, he asks you to come straight to surgery or come in later that afternoon.
Furthermore, we have 2 Paramedic Practitioners that are qualified in treating acute illnesses for adults and children and you may be given an appointment with them in the first instance. We have Paramedics working with us every day and they also do Home Visits. Please note, they can also call upon any GPs for advice if there are issues you feel want our input.
Why have we changed it?
A couple of years ago the Health Services Authority said that we should offer telephone consultations to our patients when they needed to speak to a clinical member of staff within 48 hours. However, as a practice we thought it would be better if we phone the patients the same day to address their needs.
Furthermore, with all the shortages of GP's nationally we are working with other Health Professionals like Paramedics, Physician Associates and Pharmacists who can provide their skills and services to our patients.
Why are there no more emergency appointments?
Telephone consultations take as long as face to face consultations and often, because the Doctor has no visual signs or symptoms, they take longer as the Doctor has to ask more questions. It’s a bit like when you phone NHS 111
The Doctor takes the information you give him and decides if you need to go to Hospital or if you can be seen later, or right away or if you can go to the Chemist and buy something to make you feel better.
I want to “see” the Doctor – not speak to him on the phone!
We are more than happy to see you in person. Please bear in mind though that you might have to book an appointment for another day if the GP feels it can wait a day or so.
I feel really unwell and I think the Doctor should see me.
Please make sure you tell the Doctor how you feel. Please also be fair. Emergency appointments are only made for genuine emergencies or very frail, elderly or very young. So please only ask Doctor for an emergency appointment if it is a genuine emergency.
The GP gave me a prescription but now I have changed my mind and I want to see a Doctor.
You can either call us back or call NHS 111 or you can go to your local Pharmacist for advice.
It is better to make an appointment and cancel it if you feel better than to leave it until you are so sick that you need immediate medical attention – please take good care of yourselves and take advice from the Pharmacist.