Appointments

A chaperone is available on request.

Your pharmacist can help with various conditions such as minor cuts, sprains, aches, colds, headaches, rashes, cystitis.

Why Visit Your Pharmacy?

It’s estimated 50 million visits to the GP are made every year for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema and athlete’s foot.

But by visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble. Instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can visit your local pharmacist any time, just walk in.

How your pharmacy can help.

Minor Ailments and Conditions Your Pharmacy May Help With

• mild skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, athlete’s foot
• coughs and colds, including blocked nose (nasal congestion), and sore throats
• bruises, sunburn, and minor burns and scalds
• constipation and piles (haemorrhoids)
• hay fever, dry eyes and allergies (including rashes, bites and stings)
• aches and pains, including earache, headache, migraine, back pain and toothache
• vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
• period pain, thrush and cystitis
• head lice (nits)
• conjunctivitis, cold sores and mouth ulcers
• warts and verrucas
• nappy rash and teething

In Great Britain, patients on average have just ten minutes with their GP. The British Medical Association (BMA)‘s Doctor Patient Partnership offers the following advice to help you use this time effectively.

Be Prepared

Make a list of any questions or problems you wish to discuss before hand.

Take a pen and paper as you may want to note down important points.

Wear loose clothing if it’s likely you will need to be examined.

Be prepared to tell your doctor of any non-prescription medicines or supplements you are taking.

You can bring someone with you for support.

During The Appointment

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

If you don’t understand, ask your doctor to repeat it or write it down.

If you are prescribed a drug, make sure you know why it has been given to you, how long to take it for etc. Remember pharmacists are experts in medication and a very useful source of advice.

Be direct. If you have a problem that you find embarrassing or difficult to talk about, don’t leave it to the end of the appointment before mentioning it. Remember your problem is likely to a common one for your GP, who is there to help you.

One problem at a time

If you have several problems it is more effective in the long run to concentrate on just one problem during the consultation than to have to rush through a list of problems. Be prepared to make another appointment so that each problem can be given the time it needs to be sorted out.

Be on Time

Be on time for your appointment, or inform the surgery as soon as possible, if you wish to cancel your appointment.

Separate Appointments

Make a separate appointment for each member of the family.

Under 14 Year Olds

Accompany under 14 year olds. If however, a young person strongly wishes to be treated without his/her parent’s involvement, his or her confidentiality will be respected.

Please call the surgery as early as possible. Your call will be logged by the receptionist and the doctor will phone you back as soon as they can, if a home visit is not required you may be advised to attend the surgery. Remember the most problems are best dealt with at the surgery.

You can be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

For patients who require assistance with language translation during a consultation with one of Birchdale Road Medical Centre Practice’s staff, we can organise for you a professional advocacy service so that a Health Advocate may assist you with translation during your appointment. 

The Health Advocate, where clinically appropriate will translate via a telephone translation service, between the Clinician and patient. Telephone interpreters can be booked in advance.  

This service is only available for pre-booked appointments. The advocacy service must be organised 5 working days in advance of your pre-booked appointment; please contact our reception staff who will organise this on your behalf.

Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until the next working day-except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.

To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.

Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.