Are you open on Bank Holidays?
No, we are closed on Bank Holidays. However, if you need medical advice or attention during this time you can:
Visit your pharmacy – Your local pharmacy can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaint. Visit NHS Choices to find a pharmacy open near you.
Call NHS 111 – If you need urgent medical advice but your condition is not life threatening. NHS 111 Is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
A&E or 999 – for a genuine medical emergency including; loss of consciousness, acute confused state and fits that are not stopping, persistent and/or severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.
Do you close at lunchtimes?
No our reception is open over lunchtime.
How do I arrange a home visit?
Home visits can be made to patients who are housebound or too ill to attend the surgery.
To arrange a home visit, please contact our reception team on 01270 443080, if possible before 10.30am.
How do I get my test results?
You can call the practice after 2.00pm to enquire about your test results. This will enable our staff to have more time to help you.
At the time of your test you will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results. Please bear this in mind before calling.
Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable if understanding them.
How do I make an appointment
Please telephone 01270 443080 from 8.00am on the day you require an appointment. Appointments can also be booked up to four weeks in advance.
Booking Online
We also accept online bookings for appointments via the Patient Access System. You will need to register to use this system first with one of our receptionists.
Telephone Advice
There may be times when your problem can be resolved with a telephone call. GPs are also happy to provide as a GP consultation advice on the telephone and in these cases the receptionist may ask for your contact details.
How do I register with the practice?
If you live within the practice boundaries (if you are unsure our team will be happy to help) you can register at the practice.
You can either register by visiting our practice and speaking to one of our reception team who will help you complete a form or by downloading the form beforehand and taking it to our reception team.
More information can be found on our ‘New Patient registration’ page.
How do I update my personal information?
If you have a new address or phone number then please contact our reception team who will be able to update your details on our system.
What are the NHS Prescription Charges?
Most adults in England have to pay prescription charges.
Some items are always free, including contraceptives and medicines prescribed for hospital inpatients.
The current prescription charge is £9.35 per item.
A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) could save you money on NHS prescription costs:
- a 3-month PPC costs £30.25
- a 12-month PPC is £108.10
What is CQC?
The CQC (Care Quality Commission) is the organisation making sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourage care services to improve.
Before a care provider can carry out any of the activities that regulated by the CQC, they must register and satisfy them that they will be able to meet a number of legal requirements. Activities regulated includes the treatment, care and support provided by hospitals, GP practices, dental practices, ambulance services, care homes and home-care agencies.
For more information about the CQC, you can visit their website.
Why does the receptionist need to ask what’s wrong with me?
The reception staff are members of the practice team and it has been agreed they should ask patients ‘why they need to be seen’. Reception staff are trained to ask certain questions in order to ensure that you receive the most appropriate medical care from the most appropriate health professional at the most appropriate time.
The receptionists are asked to collect brief information from patients to help:
- doctors prioritise house visits and phone calls
- ensure patients receive the appropriate level of care
- direct patients to see the nurse or other health professionals rather than a doctor where appropriate.
Reception staff, like all members of the team, are bound by confidentiality rules:
- Any information given by you is treated strictly confidentially.
- The practice would take any breach of confidentiality very seriously and deal with it accordingly.
- You can ask to speak to the receptionist in private, away from the reception desk.
- However, if you feel your issue is very private and do not wish to say what this is, then this will be respected.