Appointments

Consultations with a doctor or nurse are available by appointment only, please telephone 01642 812266.

We do also offer some appointments outside usual working hours at other locations for patients who find it difficult to attend during normal hours. Please ask for details at reception.

Every effort is made to ensure that patients are seen at their appointment time and where possible with their preferred doctor or nurse. If you need to be seen the same day you will be offered an appointment with the duty doctor.

Please note that the practice is involved in teaching medical students, student nurses and administrative trainees and all individuals are bound by our code of confidentiality. You are not obliged to have students present during your consultation so please do advise us of your wishes.

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Telephone Advice

The doctors are happy to give advice over the telephone for things such as medication, lab results or reports. Please leave your contact details with the receptionist and make sure that you will be available for a return call. You will also need to provide a brief explanation in order that the doctor can prioritise calls. Please do not use this service to request a home visit or an appointment.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel your appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order that the slot can be given to someone else.

Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 10:00 if you require a home visit. The receptionist will take your details and the doctor may ring you back to discuss the problem and decide on the best course of action.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

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.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)