Telephone System
The surgery has a telephone system that has more than one incoming line. As
a result there may be a delay in answering some calls, especially during busy
periods. The calls are stacked and answered in order. The telephone will continue
to ring; you are not being ignored. If your call is an emergency and you don't
get through to the surgery immediately, please hang up, dial 999 and ask for
the ambulance service. Please remember that this is for emergencies only.
How do I... Make An Appointment?
Appointments may be made by telephoning 01738 812000 or by calling at
the surgery. If you cannot keep an appointment, please inform us as soon as possible
as this will assist in oversubscribed situations. Each consultation lasts approximately
10 minutes and doctors always try to run on time. However, if a patient has a
difficult problem or requires hospital admission during surgery, delays can result.
We appreciate your patience should you experience a delay.
Emergencies
If you are confronted by a serious problem such as severe chest pain or severe
bleeding call an ambulance (tel: 999) before calling the surgery.
How do I... Obtain Medical Advice By Telephone?
The practice offers the facility of obtaining advice from the doctor
over the telephone. This can be done by speaking with reception staff who will
inform you of a suitable time that the doctor will get in contact with you.
Recording Of Consultations
From time to time the doctors may wish to make a video recording of their
consultations for training purposes. You will be asked for your written consent
before any recording is made, and you have the right to have the recording erased
at the end of the consultation if you so wish. These recordings will ONLY be
seen by other general practitioners.
How do I... Obtain A Home Visit?
Patients are requested to telephone before 10.00am if a visit is required
that day. Emergency visits only will be arranged after that time. Please give
the receptionist as much information as possible to enable the doctor to allocate
priority to house calls. House calls are only available for patients who are
housebound because of illness or debility. Please remember that several patients
can be seen at the surgery in the time that it takes to do a home visit.
How do I... Obtain Test Results?
The practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection.
We will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that
person has given prior permission for the release of the results. If you have
been asked to phone back for test results, please avoid our busy periods of 8.00
- 10.00am. Please also allow three to four days before telephoning for your results.
Sick Certificates
The patient is responsible for self-certification for the first seven days
of an illness using form SC2 that can be obtained from one's own employer. Thereafter,
if appropriate, NHS certificates will be issued as part of a consultation. Please
note that certificates will not be issued for illnesses of less than seven days'
duration as there is no requirement for this.
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