We run an open access surgery every morning, Monday to Friday between 08.30 and 10.00 for our registered patients only. No appointment is necessary but please be prepared to have to wait to be seen on busy days. There are usually three doctors working on the open access surgery. Other consultations are by appointment made by telephone or in person with our reception staff. At the moment, you may expect to wait three or four weeks for a pre-bookable appointment.
APPOINTMENT TIMES
Usual consultation times are:
7.30am – 8.30am (Wednesday & Friday)
8.30am – 11.00am
2.30pm – 5.20pm
Appointments are 10 minutes long. Double appointments are available on request. There is an emergency surgery for urgent problems each day, usually at 3.00pm (by appointment). We would however ask that if you can come to the open access surgery then please do so, as it is easier to access secondary care for urgent onwards referrals if necessary.
TYPES OF APPOINTMENTS
We offer 4 different types of appointments for our patients to help provide you flexible access to your doctor or nurse.
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ADVANCE BOOKING: appointments can be made three to four weeks in advance
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TELEPHONE APPOINTMENTS: for simple questions or follow up 11.00 to 11.30am.
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ADDITIONAL OUT OF HOURS SURGERIES: (Please note the phone lines are closed until 8am)
7.30am to 8.30am Wednesdays and Fridays (by pre-booked appointment only). -
EMERGENCY SURGERY: Our surgery has a daily emergency surgery for urgent cases only. Please be advised that you may be asked for a reason for your visit. This is to help signpost in an appropriate way and is not meant to cause offence.
House Calls
House calls are for the seriously ill or housebound patients.
We operate a duty doctor system who will do most of the daily house calls; be prepared to leave a contact number as they may call you back before coming out to visit.
Please ensure all house call requests are in as early as possible preferably by 9.00am.
Please note: It is easier for us to provide a higher standard of care if patients attend the practice. House calls are time consuming and can impact on the amount of time we have available for all of our patients. We encourage you to attend the practice if at all possible.
Telephone Advice
For simple problems or follow up telephone appointments can be made where your doctor will call you back at a designated time between 08.00 and 13.00
Please ensure your phone number is up to date.
You can also leave telephone messages for your doctor if a consultation is not required.
Cancelled Appointments
It is important that you inform the reception staff if you you are unable to attend your appointment, this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters maybe removed from the list.
If you are Late
Please attend your appointment on time , if you are late you may not be seen.
Please note appointment times may vary during illness and holidays.
Interpreter
If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and she will arrange this for you.
Private Medical Examinations
Medical examinations for special purposes such as pre-employment, fitness to travel, elderly drivers, fitness to undertake sports etc, will require longer than a routine appointment.
These examinations do not form part of NHS Services, you will be charged for any such examination. Please check the fee chargeable when you require to arrange any such examination.
Request for GP Letters/Completion of Forms
If your Doctor has agreed to write a letter for you in connection with your employment, acting as a referee, or for some other specific area, you may be charged for this letter. Please allow at least five working days before collecting your letter, if you require this letter urgently please inform your Doctor during your consultation. If you wish your Doctor to complete a form/report for you, there will also be a charge for this, please allow 48 hours before uplifting your form.
The reception staff will advise you of any applicable charges.