The practice offers a variety of appointment types to try and accommodate all.
Our reception staff are trained to signpost patients, which means that you will be directed to the most appropriate professional for your condition.
Reception Staff are here to help
When you phone to book an appointment/telephone consultation, reception staff will ask you some questions relating to your health problem, they really are not being ‘nosey’ it is part of their role to help make sure you are given an appropriate appointment with the appropriate clinician and the appropriate time.
All practice staff are bound by the same confidentiality rules.
Can another health professional help?
Sometimes a GP may not be the most appropriate healthcare professional to deal with your ailment. Other professionals such as pharmacists, opticians and dentists may be better placed to help. Please click on the links below for further information.
Doctor & Advanced Nurse Practitioner Appointments
We offer routine appointments for the Doctors and Advanced Nurse Practitioners which can be booked in advance. These appointments can be either face to face or telephone consultations. If you have more than one medical issue, please discuss the most important first as it may not be possible to discuss all issues within this time frame.
We also operate a triage system to patients who have a new acute medical problem that cannot wait for the next available appointment.
Practice Nurse Appointments
Practice nurse appointments are available for preventative and ongoing treatments including smear tests, blood pressure check, blood testing and chronic disease management.
Practice Pharmacist
The practice pharmacist provides prescribing support to our practice team. They can also see patients to discuss their medication. An appointment can be made for this service.
Routine appointments
To request a routine appointment :
- phone us on during opening hours
- visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, during opening hours
When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.
We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.
Our routine clinics typically run:
9:00am to 11:00am
11:30am to 1:00pm
2:30pm to 4:30pm
Treatment Room
There is a well-equipped treatment room, staffed by fully qualified nursing staff within the Medical Centre. They are available for injections, removal of stitches, dressings, ear syringing etc. Please call at reception or telephone for an appointment.
Extended Hours
In addition, extended hours appointments are available out with normal surgery hours and can be booked by speaking to one of our reception team.
Please be aware that there is limited availability of these appointments therefore we kindly ask that those who are able to attend during normal surgery hours do not request these appointments.
Appointments for the extended access service are booked by calling the surgery reception.
Cancelling or changing an appointment
Cancel your appointment:
- phone us on during opening hours
- If you are late for an appointment you may be asked to re-book
We have a strict policy for removing patients who frequently fail to attend.
Routine vaccinations
Vaccinations help protect you and your family from many infectious diseases. You’ll be offered different routine vaccinations at different times, depending on your age and circumstances. For most routine vaccinations, your local health board will invite you by sending you a letter when you become eligible.You do not need to contact them to arrange your vaccinations.
You may be invited to a new location to receive your immunisations instead of your GP practice.
Your appointment
However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:
- by phone
- face to face at the surgery
Appointments by phone can be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.
If you need help with your appointment
Please tell us:
- if there’s a specific doctor, nurse or other health professional you would prefer to respond
- if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, or by face-to-face
- if you need an interpreter
- if you have any other access or communication needs.
If you need help when we are closed
The 111 service provides urgent care information and support if you think you need A&E but its not life-threatening, and advice when your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed.
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Home visits
Home visits are reserved for housebound patients or those too unwell to attend an appointment. If you are too ill to come to surgery you can request for a paramedic to visit you at home.
Please try and telephone before 10am to request a house call. Please be aware that you will be required to give reception staff your symptoms to allow the paramedic to judge whether a visit is needed and the urgency for when planning their visit schedule.
We are not in position to automatically visit patients on discharge from hospital.
Additional information about your appointment with us
Can I bring someone to accompany me to the Appointment?
We are generally very happy for patients to bring with them a carer, relative or even a friend. This often helps, particularly when they know you well and it allows them to tell us any observations they would make about you, which can help us in undertaking our assessment. Ultimately this will lead us more quickly to make an accurate diagnosis and therefore help you more.
Also, having someone with you means they can prompt you to ask questions that you may have forgotten, and after the appointment they can help in reminding you what was discussed.
Occasionally we might ask for them to leave but this would be unusual.
If you require interpretation services please contact us in advance of you appointment and we will arrange this.
Chaperone Policy
We will always respect your privacy, dignity and your religious and cultural beliefs particularly when intimate examinations are advisable – these will only be carried out with your express agreement and you will be offered a chaperone to attend the examination if you so wish.
You may also request a chaperone when making the appointment or on arrival at the surgery (please let the receptionist know) or at any time during the consultation.
Giving Consent for Treatment
You have the right to accept or refuse treatment that is offered to you, and not to be given any physical examination or treatment unless you have given valid consent. If you do not have the capacity to do so, consent must be obtained from a person legally able to act on your behalf, or the treatment must be in your best interests.
Your valid consent (agreement to the course of action) is needed for the treatment that’s offered to you before any physical examinations or treatment can be given. If you haven’t given your consent, you can accept or refuse treatment that’s offered to you.
It’s important to be involved in decisions about your treatment and to be given information to help you choose the right treatment. When making treatment choices, you’ll often discuss the options with your doctor or another healthcare professional.
If you have a suspected infectious disease
Please inform reception if you suspect an infectious disease, as this will enable us to deal with it appropriately during your visit to protect you, other patients and staff.
Interpreter
If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and this will be arranged.
Intimate Examinations
During your care, a doctor may need to examine you in order to provide you with the best care. Occasionally this may involve an examination of intimate areas. We understand that this can be stressful and embarrassing. If this sort of examination is necessary:
- We will explain to you why the examination is necessary and give you the opportunity to ask questions.
- We will explain what the examination will involve, including whether you can expect it to be painful or uncomfortable.
- We will obtain your permission before carrying out this examination You will be offered a chaperone.
- At all times we will respect your privacy during the examination and while dressing and undressing.
Your doctor and the nursing staff will be happy to discuss any concerns you have about this.
Private Medical Examinations
Medical examinations for special purposes such as pre-employment, fitness to travel, elderly drivers, fitness to undertake sports etc, will require longer than a routine appointment.
These examinations do not form part of NHS Services, you will be charged for any such examination. Please check the fee chargeable when you require to arrange any such examination.