Appointments

Although you are registered with a specific doctor, you are free to consult any of the doctors or nurses. It is a good idea to try to see the same nurse or doctor for the same problem, so that your progress can be assessed and continuity of treatment maintained.

If you wish to see a doctor, please telephone or call at the surgery as soon as possible after 8:30 am on the day you wish to come. The receptionist will try to give you a convenient appointment with the doctor of your choice. If she is unable to give you exactly what you would like, she will suggest an alternative time or another doctor or that you see the Nurse Practitioner instead, or if you prefer you may try again another day. If the matter is urgent, you will definitely be seen that day, but not necessarily by the doctor of your choice.

Appointments for Blood Tests can be made in advance and early morning appointments are available (between 8:15 and 8:30 am) if you would like to be seen prior to going to work.

• The doors open at 8:15 am and you can telephone for an appointment from 8:30am onwards till 1pm and from 2pm-6:30pm .

• Between 8 - 8:30 am and 1-2pm the emergency telephone line is open for urgent calls only .

• Outside opening hours you can ring the surgery and the answerphone message will inform you of the numbers to ring for urgent advice.

Are you hard of hearing?

The surgery has a portable T-loop to help hearing aid wearers. To make use of this please switch your hearing aid on to T when you speak to the receptionist and ask that the loop be used in your consultation when you check in. The T-loop can also be taken by the doctor or (district) nurse on home visits if you request this in advance. We regret that occasionally the facility will not be available if in use with another patient. 

You may also like to know that hearing aid batteries are now available from reception.

Nurse Appointments

Appointments to see a nurse may be made in advance. Please ask the receptionist.  (The receptionist will ask you the reason for your visit so that she can arrange an appropriate appointment.)

Appointments may be made with one of the practice nurses for:

• ear syringing
• dressings
• removal of stitches
• travel vaccinations
• spirometry
• ECGs
• anticoagulation checks( Ann Gardner)
• asthma checks ( Ann Gardner)
• diabetes checks ( Denise Madden)

Health Care Assistant

Appointments can also be made in advance for blood tests, blood pressure checks , new patient health checks , ECGs,diet and health advice with our health care assistant .

If you are interested in stopping smoking, you can book an appointment to discuss how to successfully stop .

Nurse Practitioner

A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse, who has undertaken several years of added academic and practical learning, resulting in advanced examination and interpretation skills. They are able to see and treat people of all ages. A Nurse Practitioner works closely alongside your doctor, and refers to other doctors and health and social workers as needed.

As well as being involved with direct patient care, Nurse Practitioners are involved in education, Community Health initiatives and research in order to promote quality health care for people.

What Services Do Nurse Practitioners Provide?

A Nurse Practitioner may see patients of all ages during health and illness alongside their General Practitioner. Patients can choose to see the Nurse Practitioner themselves, or be referred by their doctor or other health professional.

The Nurse Practitioner can:

• Obtain medical histories and perform examinations, request and interpret tests.
• Diagnose and treat common health problems, such as infections, minor illness, and minor injuries.
• Diagnose, treat and monitor chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure.
• Provide contraceptive advice services.
• Offer health and lifestyle advice for adults and children, as well as providing extra support/advice for the over 60s.

Why Should I Choose To See A Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner can provide:

• individualised care, focusing not only on the present health problem, but the effects these health problems can have on an individual or their family.
• Offer slightly longer appointment times, and arrange on-going and follow up assessments with individuals of any age.
• Explain details of medications, health information/advice, explore peoples worries and concerns about their health and their health care needs.
• Provide information people need to enable them to make individual choices in relation to their health.

Home Visits

Home visits are rarely necessary except for housebound patients and the terminally ill. As it is much easier for us to conduct a proper physical examination and do any necessary tests in the surgery than at your home, it is in your own interest to be seen in the surgery if at all possible. It also helps us, as we can see several patients in the time it takes to do a home visit. It is safe to bring a child with a high temperature or a rash to the surgery, but please tell the receptionist when you arrive.

If you really cannot come to the surgery and would like the doctor to visit, please try to make the request before 10:30 am.

Telephone Advice

Sometimes you may want advice about a health problem or medication, or simply wish to talk to a doctor or nurse. You can telephone the surgery to give a message to be passed on to a doctor or nurse, and we will ask you for a telephone number if you need to be called  back. Sometimes you may be offered a "telephone appointment" if the problem that concerns you can be dealt with over the phone and you do not need to come into the surgery.

It is helpful to let the receptionist know the nature of your query, so that we can have the relevant records available.