HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN TELEPHONE ADVICE?
Because our doctors are unable to
deal with every enquiry coming into the surgery, the receptionists are trained
to deal with many such enquiries or, if necessary, pass them to another member
of staff. You may be asked to phone back when she has the information you require or the doctor may telephone you. Please ensure that we have your current telephone number and that you will be available when the doctor phones.
HOW
DO I...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
Consultations are by appointment and can be made either by telephone or calling at the surgery. The doctors endeavour to keep the surgeries running to time, but inevitably some consultations take longer than others. We would therefore ask you to be patient if you are kept waiting a little beyond your appointment time.
Our bookable appointments are only made one week in advance and this appears to have improved our non-attendance rate by more than 75%. We also have a third of all morning surgeries bookable that morning and some appointments in the afternoon surgery, ie phone at 9.00am and you will be given an appointment later that day.
You may see the doctor of your choice if you book your appointment in advance but all our doctors have access to your medical records and this may allow you to be seen sooner, even on the same day if you see someone else.
Each appointment is for 10 minutes. Please ask for a double appointment if you have more to discuss. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please let us know in good time so that it can be offered to someone else.
HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN HOME VISITS?
Home visits are available for those
too ill or infirm to come to the surgery. If you think you do need a home visit,
please telephone before 10.00am.
It is often possible to be seen more
quickly at the surgery and the receptionist may ask you, as a matter of routine,
if you are able to come to the surgery.
Please remember that the doctor can
see three patients in the surgery in the time it takes to make a home visit, and
the doctor will decide whether a home visit is necessary.
HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN TEST RESULTS?
For all results please telephone
between 12.30 - 1.30pm and 5.00 - 5.45pm when the lines are less busy. Routine blood and urine tests take a minimum of 72 hours (three working days) and x-rays as long as two weeks. In the interest of confidentiality, results are only given directly to the patient or the parents of young children.
HOW
DO I...
CHANGE MY DETAILS?
If you change your name, address
or telephone number please notify the surgery as soon as possible. A change of
address may mean you are outside the practice boundary. If you are unsure, please
ask the receptionist who will advise you.
HOW
DO I...
MAKE A COMPLAINT?
Our practice-based
complaints procedure operates in line with national guidelines. Should you have a complaint,
please speak to a receptionist, or ask to see one of the practice managers who will explain the procedure.
HOW
DO I...
MAKE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS?
We are happy to accept and consider
comments and suggestions from our patients.
Please present your views in writing
at reception.
HOW
DO I...
REGISTER WITH THE PRACTICE?
If you wish to register as a patient with this practice, our reception staff will provide you with all the information you require and the forms for completion. You will then be given an appointment with one of the practice nurses or the health care support worker for an initial assessment. You will be required to bring photographic identification and a utility bill with your address to this appointment. All patients registered with this practice can choose to see any of the doctors; however, the doctor of your choice may not always be immediately available.
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