All the Doctors and Nurses work to appointments and we run 2 sessions each day, a morning session and an afternoon session.
We also offer a selection of appointments outside our normal working hours for those patients who find it difficult to make routine appointments due to work and family commitments during the working day.
To book an appointment please telephone your surgery.
Consultation Times
Doctors' Consulting Timetable
Please note: This timetable is in the process of being up-dated.
Home Visits
Home visits mean that the doctor can see far fewer patients during the day so we ask that you only request a home visit when medically essential.
Where possible please telephone to request a visit before 10.30 am.
You will be phoned back by a doctor to advise you and give an estimated time of your visit. You may be asked to attend the Health Centre or receive telephone advice for your condition. If a visit is deemed necessary, it may not be your usual Doctor who will call.
The Doctor is not obliged to visit you at home, unless you are housebound or unable to travel due to your condition.
Please, where possible attend The Health Centre so that full examinations are possible.
Extended Hours
We offer appointments outside the Practice's normal working hours for those patients who find it difficult to make appointments due to work and family commitments, during the normal working week.
These surgeries are usually held on a Monday Evening at The Health Centre, on a Wednesday evening at Winsley and on a Monday evening at St Damian's Surgery.
Text message appointment reminders!
From Wednesday 11th January 2012, at 11.45am each week day, patients who have an appointment for the following day will receive an instant SMS text message appointment reminder.
To receive this service, please inform the receptionist of your mobile telephone number.
If you would prefer NOT to receive ANY text messages from the practice, please ask reception staff to mark this on your record.
Which Healthcare Professional?
There are a number of options available. These are listed below to help you decide before you ring us. The receptionist can also help you decide which one is the most appropriate for you. It may not always be necessary for you to see a GP and we welcome your co-operation in ensuring that people who, for medical reasons, must be seen by a doctor are able to do so.
Emergency Nurse
This service is led by experienced, fully trained nurses who are able to deal with minor illness, injury and certain medical emergencies. You will be offered a same-day appointment where your condition will be assessed and treated by the emergency nurse, who has direct access to the duty doctor if she needs additional advice or support.
Telephone Consultation
Patients are able to speak to a GP and/or nurse on the telephone during the working day:
- If patients specifically ask for a telephone consultation for a problem that needs to be dealt with within 24 hours, a telephone consultation appointment is made for the end of a doctor’s surgery
- If patients specifically ask for a telephone consultation for a problem that can be dealt with within 48 hours, an appointment is made during a doctor’s surgery for the following day. The patient is given a specific time, e.g. 10.40 a.m
- If a patient needs/wants to discuss an urgent test result with their doctor, a telephone consultation appointment is made for the end of a doctor’s surgery
- If a patient needs/wants to discuss a non-urgent result with their doctor, the doctor is emailed with the patient’s contact details and associated information. The doctor will telephone the patient within 48 hours. This system is fully explained to patients by the receptionist
- If a patient wishes to speak with a nurse, a message is recorded in the nurses’ message book. A nominated nurse checks this book at the end of every clinic and undertakes the task, i.e. arranging a telephone consultation
Practice Nurse/Healthcare Assistant/Phlebotomist
In addition to general duties such as changing dressings our nurse-led clinics include blood-taking, ear syringing, blood pressure checks and cervical smears. In addition they can provide advice on the management of coronary heart disease, stopping smoking, diabetes, asthma, weight control and holiday and travel issues. Telephone consultations are available daily with the practice nurses.
GPs
More of the "routine" duties are now carried out by other members of the primary healthcare team, the doctors are able to concentrate on those patients who really need their expertise.