Appointments

We do not operate “personal lists” and patients have the opportunity to see any of the doctors across either site. We offer appointments both on the day and in advance (weekly and monthly).

These can be booked via the receptionist or by using our automated telephone booking system which can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days per week by ringing 01252 730100.

Please try to avoid contacting the surgery to book an appointment on the day that you wish to be seen.  We have a limited number of appointments that are available for booking on the day, but would encourage patients to book ahead for routine problems where possible to allow for emergency appointments to be available on the day.  If you have a problem that is considered to be an emergency and cannot wait for the next available routine appointment, you will be booked into an emergency, book on the day appointment.  Thank you for your co-operation.  We do continually monitor our appointment system to ensure that we provide the best possible care for our patients.

Please note that we provide the best possible service for our patients, but there are times when there is a high demand for appointments.

Automated System

This facility is now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Appointments are released to the system throughout the day and night and can be booked as far ahead as 4 weeks. As well as booking a routine appointment with the doctor, you can check change or cancel an appointment and can also use the system to book blood tests, smears and INR tests.

PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS SYSTEM WHERE POSSIBLE WHEN BOOKING APPOINTMENTS

Please note:

Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 10am if you require a home visit.

A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.

House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the surgery.

Emergencies wil be attended to immediately

Reception

The practice employs several part-time receptionists. All have been fully trained and have a lot of information at their fingertips and could probably answer many of your queries. Anything that you tell them will be treated in absolute confidence. If you are unsure whether to consult a doctor or a nurse the receptionist will be able to advise you. If you are in doubt about anything please ask and if the receptionist does not know the answer she will find out for you. A brief explanation of your problem may enable them to suggest the right person for advice, or offer the most suitable appointment. Please help them to help you.

All of our staff are here to help. Administration staff are your link with the rest of the Practice and may need to ask you medical details in order to work effectively. Any information given to them is treated in confidence as they are bound by the same codes of conduct as the doctors and nurse.

Please note that we operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to abuse of our staff.  We request that our receptionists are treated with courtesy and respect at all times.