Our appointment system enables us to deal with patient's concerns quickly as we have a doctor available each working day to assess medical problems on the telephone.
This facility helps us to offer a faster, more efficient and effective service.
So how does the appointment system work?
What if I need to see a nurse?
Who do I need to see?
When you telephone the surgery between 8.30am-11.15am and 2pm-4.30pm, the receptionist will
take some brief details about yourself including the reason for your appointment. This helps our trained staff decide the best person to deal with your query. Please be assured that our receptionists are under the same confidentiality
laws as the doctors and nurses.
If the receptionist feels that a doctor can assess your problem on
the telephone, your details will be passed to the Telephone Doctor. The Telephone Doctor may speak to you straight the way or call you back. Their role is to assess the problem and guide you to the best person to help
you.
It is often possible for the doctor to advise and reassure you fully on the
telephone or provide a prescription or sick note if necessary - saving you a visit to the surgery. They can also book appointments in advance for you if required.
We still offer appointments which can be booked in advance with our Nursing Team and
also appointments which can be made on the day - giving you more choice and flexibility.
We understand that it can be confusing when choosing the right person to treat your problem, so we have provided the following handy checklist to help you decide.
| NURSE | Asthma annual review COPD annual review Diabetic annual review Healthy heart annual review Contraception follow up (not new contraception/ changes to the pill) Smears Spirometry Travel advice and injections Painless hearing loss |
| HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT | Blood pressure checks Giving up smoking advice Lifestyle referrals New patient medicals |
| DISTRICT NURSE | B12 Injections Dressings Removal of stitches |
| PHARMACIST | Medication advice Coughs, colds, sore throats including 'flu' Thrush, period pains, bloating and cystitis Upset stomachs such as diarrhoea, constipation and indigestion Skin complaints such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot and corns |
| MIDWIFE | Antenatal review appointments Practical pregnancy and newborn problems |
| HEALTH VISITOR | Child development Families with children under 5 years |
| OPTICIANS | Any problems with vision |
| DENTIST | All dental problems |
| PHYSIOTHERAPIST | Lower back pain Muscle problems |
| CHIROPODIST | All foot problems including ingrowing toenails |
| DOCTOR | All other medical problems |
| PRACTICE MANAGER | Complaints or compliments about the practice, staff or appointment system Suggestions to improve our service |