Appointments

The doctors have personal lists and we encourage you to see your own doctor. If your need is urgent, please let the receptionist know so that you can be seen quickly by a doctor or referred to the triage nurse.

To make the system work for everyone we need your co-operation:
Please do not insist in being seen urgently with a minor illness that could wait.
Please inform the receptionist if you cannot keep or no longer need your appointment so that it can be offered to someone else.
Please be on time. It is one appointment for each patient.
If you have a hearing aid, please use it. It helps us to communicate with you. A hearing loop system is available.

How To make an Appointment

We run an appointment system. Appointments can be made by phone or in person - Tel: 01202 897 200 between 8.00am and 6.30pm. Where possible, you will be seen by the doctor with whom you are registered. If you feel you need to be seen urgently please let the receptionist know as we run a triage surgery every morning where you will be advised and seen if necessary by the most appropriate healthcare professional.

Telephone Consultation

If you need to speak to a doctor please telephone between 11.00 am and 12 noon.

Home Visits

In view of the facilities for diagnosis and treatment at the medical centre, we try to limit visits to essential ones only. It may be inconvenient and unpleasant, but attendance at the medical centre is essential. Please phone BEFORE 10.00AM except in an emergency.

Test Results

Test results are not given over the telephone. If you would like to check your results are back before making an appointment to see or speak to your doctor, please telephone your doctor’s secretary after 2 p.m. Information concerning results can only be given to the specific patient to whom they apply.
Please do not ask a friend or relative to phone on your behalf. Some tests take longer than others to process. If you have had several tests then the receptionist will not necessarily know whether all the results are back unless you can identify them.

Certificates

When patients are sick and unable to work there is no requirement for an NHS certificate from the doctor for the first seven days. Patients should obtain a self-certificate (Form SC2) from their employer.
The practice holds Form SC1 which should be used for self-employed people. The doctors do not sign certificates for fitness to carry out newspaper rounds etc.