We want to provide you with the best possible service we can and are constantly trying to improve our system to achieve this.

For doctors appointments -

We are encouraging patients to book appointments on the day and you should be able to book an appointment on the day you need it. It will not always be possible to offer an appointment with the doctor of your choice, however you will be offered an alternative doctor.

We do appreciate that you may need to book in advance because of work/school commitments. So, we have introduced commuter appointments.

These can be booked up to 10 days in advance. Please do not use these if you do not work/go to school.

These appointments are before 9a.m and after 5p.m.

There is also a limited amount of pre bookable appointments at other times, these can also be booked up to 5 days in advance.

We appreciate that at times you may only want a bit of advice  and not need an appointment, so we have introduced telephone consultations. You will be given an expected time that the doctor will call you back.

For nurses appointments –

You can now only book up to 1 month in advance or on the day only.

We have received very positive and encouraging feedback about our improvements and really appreciate your continued support.

TRIAGE

 We have introduced some nurse triage appointments, as some minor illnesses do not need to be treated by a doctor. Our experienced nurses will be able to deal with most problems and if they cannot you will be seen by a doctor.

 URGENT APPOINTMENTS

We do not have emergency/ urgent appointments. If your condition necessitates you seeing a doctor, you will be offered the next available appointment on the day you call. If there are no appointments left for the day, details will be taken from you by the reception staff and passed to a doctor and you will be contacted at the end of their surgery.

You have to be aware that the doctor may not think your condition is urgent.

This is what may happen:

Please remember if you are given an urgent appointment, it will be shorter than a routine appointment.

Alternatively you can telephone:

NHS Direct, a 24 hour nurse led advice line is available on:

0845 4647

or

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

NHS DIRECT

NHS Direct is a new 24-hour telephone help line. The helpline is led by nurses who can help reassure you and give you telephone advice and health information. Anyone can ring NHS Direct, at any time, for health advice.

If you feel that there is something wrong with you or someone you are calling about, a NHS Direct nurse will be able to help you and:

NHS Direct is staffed by experienced nurses who are specially trained to give advice over the phone. They will ask you a series of questions, which will help them decide how serious your problem is.

NHS Direct is part of the NHS and works alongside existing health services. It extends the role of the Health Service providing you with instant access to a qualified nurse who can advise you on the most efficient and effective way to manage your symptoms.

If you want to contact the surgery directly either to make an appointment, for a prescription or test, or just for their advice, you should still do so.

 

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Last modified: May 17, 2004