For non-urgent issues, please follow the guidelines below and choose the right service. An appointment may not be necessary.
This will help us to be more efficient by making an appointment available to you when you need it the most.

Routine Appointments

Please note if you need an appointment with the practice nurse or healthcare assistant, you can call anytime of the day to arrange this appointment.

For patients with an urgent medical need, the Duty Doctor service is available Monday to Friday (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays) between the hours of 08:00 and 18:30. Patients will receive a call back from the Duty Doctor within 2 hours of contacting the surgery.

Cancellations

Urgent Appointments

All requests for same day appointments will be passed to the duty doctor (telephone triage) They will discuss your medical problem with you over the telephone. If they are unable to resolve your problem over the telephone then they will book you a face-to-face appointment for that day.

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)

Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 10:00 if you require a home visit.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound, too ill to visit the practice or over 65 years of age. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires a visit 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 or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.