Appointments

This organisation is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. The chaperone may be a family member or friend. On occasions you may prefer a formal chaperone to be present i.e. a trained member of staff.

Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking your appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not possible, we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However, it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.

Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our Chaperone Policy.

If you would like to see a copy of our Chaperone Policy or have any questions or comments regarding this, please contact the Practice Manager. 

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.

Home visits are available on request for patients who are housebound, terminally ill or too ill to come to the surgery. All requests for home visits will be assessed by a doctor.

At home the doctor will only have limited equipment and it is often difficult to perform a full assessment of your symptoms. It is therefore essential that if it is at all possible that you attend the Surgery to see the doctor.

If you do need a home visit, it would be helpful if you could call before 10.30am. Please give the receptionist as much information as possible so that the doctor can give your request due priority. This helps to avoid unnecessary delays as the doctors are able to plan their rounds.

A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice.

Calls are usually distributed geographically unless a particular doctor is attending a particular patient, thus you may not necessarily be visited by your preferred doctor.

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.