Surgery Appointments
We operate an appointment system which usually allows 10 minute appointments, however some appointments can be longer depending on the specific requirements.
Appointments are now bookable on the day they are required, we can also offer pre-bookable appointments. These are available first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening.
We also have an open access policy for children who are 12 or under.
You can choose to see the doctor of your choice. Whenever possible, we advise you to see the same doctor, but there are times when this can be very difficult due to holidays and other absences
In an emergency, your details will be assessed by one of the doctors and you will be seen as soon as possible, bearing in mind the needs of our other patients.
We try to offer non-urgent appointments within 10 working days, but please bear in mind that some of the doctors are part-time and simply cannot see the same number of patients as the others.
In return, we ask of you
Request appointments as early as possible if you wish to be seen the same day.
Cancel any appointments you cannot keep as soon as possible, so they can be offered to other patients.
Only request urgent or emergency appointments when absolutely necessary.
Please do not insist on seeing the doctor with minor illnesses such as coughs, colds and sore throats. This blocks appointments that could be far better used in identifying and treating serious problems such as heart disease and cancer. Your local pharmacist is an excellent source of advice and remedies for minor illness.
Observe the 'one patient, one appointment' rule. Asking several people to be seen in one appointment compromises your safety, is inconsiderate to all the other patients who are following you and is an unreasonable extra stress on your doctor.
Waiting Time
Arrive in good time for your appointment; sadly the commonest cause of 'running late' is patients turning up late for their appointment.
Appreciate that waiting times are often outside our control; for example the doctor may be called out on an emergency, or demand at certain times of the year (flu season) can overwhelm our smooth running.
Please call for home visits early in the day as this is when we have time available. Calling later for a home visit will usually mean a significant delay until after evening surgery is finished, except in life threatening circumstances.
Home Visits
We provide a home visiting service for those who are too ill to leave the house. Because home visits are time consuming, we ask you to only ask for a home visit if absolutely essential. Home visits are done during the morning, so please telephone your request in as early as possible after 08:30 and be prepared to give the receptionist some details of the problem; in some cases the doctor will phone you back. Visits requested after 11am, except for genuine emergencies, are difficult to accomodate, without seriously inconveniencing other patients.
Bringing patients to the surgery usually results in them being seen more quickly than waiting for a visit. In addition, we have far more facilities available at the surgery than can be brought to your home.
Please note that lack of transport, waiting for a repair man etc etc are NOT reasonable grounds to ask for a home visit!
We are often asked to visit children with coughs, colds and temperatures; transporting ill children does no harm and they will be seen more quickly so please bring them to the surgery.
At the end of the day; its down to you; more home visits means fewer appointments available at the surgery!! We have managed to significantly reduce our home visiting rate over the last 2 years; this has freed time to seriously tackle heart disease and we are making very good progress with this.
