Appointments

Telephone Appointments can be made by calling 02890 458722.

The telephone lines are open continuously between 08.30 and 18.00 but are extremely busy at 8.30am and 2pm when call lists are opened.

The practice operates a triage service where your GP will contact you and offer you an appointment if they feel the need to see you. 

When GPs close the call lists the phone message will change to inform you of this (this is when all calls are full for that AM or PM slot). 

Cancelling or Changing an Appointment

Appointment System

Due to the pressure on our appointment system we expect patients to be punctual when attending. This benefits all users of the system. We also expect that those people unable to keep their appointments will cancel as early as possible thus making it available for others to use.

Consultations

During your consultation the doctor may take the opportunity to provide a health screening. In addition, the practice provides treatment for temporary residents.

Telephone Calls

The doctors will return telephone calls shortly after 9am and 2pm. 

Phone lines are extremely busy on Monday and Friday mornings, if your issue is not urgent please call on other days when it is less busy. 

Home Visits

If a home visit is requested for someone who is too ill to come to the surgery, please telephone the surgery as soon as possible (ideally before midday).  The doctor will usually phone you as soon as they are available to discuss your problem.

Please remember that it takes much longer to travel to see you at home and visits will be reserved for those who are housebound or too ill to visit the practice.  

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced).