Appointments

It is best for a patient to follow the same illness through with the same Doctor if at all possible. Evening surgeries are primarily intended for those at work or at school who are unable to get to morning surgery.

Our Nurse Practitioner is available for minor illness of a short term nature. She is able to examine, diagnose and issue prescriptions.

Smoking is not permitted on practice premises. 
No dogs except assistance dogs are permitted on practice premises.

We can usually offer you an appointment for routine problems within 24 hours but will always offer one within three working days of your request. If your problem cannot wait that long, you will be offered an appointment at the next available surgery but, in some cases, you may not be able to see your own Doctor. If the problem is of a more minor nature, our Nurse Practitioner is available for examination, diagnosis and treatment.

In some circumstances, you may be put through to the Doctor who may be able to help with a telephone consultation.

If the problem is genuinely urgent and no appointments are available, you will be "slotted in" as an extra for the current surgery. Please telephone the receptionist first so you can be advised of the best time to come, making the urgent nature of the consultation clear. Although it may be helpful to have some idea of what may be wrong, you are not required to discuss the specific nature of the problem with the receptionist.

Appointment systems are in operation at both surgeries on the following telephone numbers : 

• Mitchell Road 0844 499 5232 
• Neighbourhood Centre 0844 499 5242
• If you are calling from abroad or from a mobile phone, please call 01202 772501

To make the system work for everyone we need your co-operation.

• Please do not insist on being seen urgently with minor illnesses that could wait and where possible, please make use of our Nurse Practitioner service.
• 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. 
• Do not store multiple problems for one consultation slot. 
• If you think your problem will need extra time ask the receptionist for a longer appointment.

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 District 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.

In an Emergency

A Doctor is always available for urgent cases. Please telephone 0844 499 5232 giving your name, address and telephone number together with some idea of the nature and urgency of the visit. In extreme emergency or case of severe chest pain dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.

In cases where a nurse opinion over the telephone is required, ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47

Emergency Contraception

The "morning after pill" is available and effective up to 72 hours from unprotected intercourse but the sooner it is taken, the greater the chance of success. Please ask for an appointment to see a Doctor or the Nurse Practitioner at the next available surgery. In certain circumstances the coil can be fitted after this time.