Appointments

The Practice operates an appointment system for the doctors, the Practice Nurse and the Treatment Room. Appointments may be made by telephone, via our website or in person at reception. If you are unable to keep an appointment for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible.

We encourage patients to attend the same doctor for any episode of illness. Please make the receptionist aware of your preference of doctor when booking your appointment.

It may not always be possible to see the doctor of your choice. 

If you require an appointment for a medical, this may take more than one appointment slot, so please telephone and speak to a receptionist.

Telephone Consultations

If you wish to discuss medical matters with a doctor or nurse please telephone the practice number (028 2588 0505) between 08:30 and 11:30, or between 14:00 and 16:00. If the doctor or nurse is busy with another patient at the time you call, the receptionist may take your telephone number and you will be called back as soon as possible. This reduces the number of interruptions to surgery consultations.

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many conditions and you may be seen more quickly.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00am.

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. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also 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.

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)