Appointments

Please see the 'opening times' page for the details of hours at all three surgeries.

If you would prefer to see a male or female doctor please let the reception staff know.

Seeing the right person?

You will be asked by the receptionist why you need to see the doctor, they are not being nosey but just trying to ensure you see the correct person.  There are many things the practice nurse can help with such as smears, immunisations, travel health, B12 injections, medication reviews, asthma and diabetic checks.  There are also other clinicians who you may be able to see instead of a doctor.  If you are uncomfortable saying what the problem is, you do not have to but answering helps us to prioritise you needs urgent help and who might be able to wait a bit longer for an appointment.  We will always ask for a reason for our urgent "on the day" clinic.  Remember, pharmacists can offer advice and recommend medication to help with a number of conditions.

Evening Surgeries

Evening consultations (17:30 to 20:30)  with a doctor or nurse are available at Connel Surgery on one evening per week (normally a Wednesday or a Thursday). These appointments are particularly aimed at patients unable to visit the surgery during normal opening hours but can be booked by anyone.

If you require a doctor urgently during working hours (08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday) telephone 01631 710 229

Telephone Consultations

You do not always need to come into the surgery to speak with a doctor or nurse. You can request a telephone consultation yourself or your doctor or nurse may suggest this method for follow-up or to discuss the results of tests.

All you need to do is give reception the telephone number where you can be contacted and you will be given an approximate time when you will be called.

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 ailments and you may be seen more quickly. Our practice nurses can provide information and advice on health promotion, routine immunisations, travel health and the management of chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease and also on minor ailments and wound care.

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. If you use internet booking then you can cancel your appointment on-line.

Who Should I See?

It can be difficult to know who you should book your appointment with - a doctor, nurse, health care assistant, health visitor or pharmacist?  In person or by telephone?

This simple guide is aimed at making the decision easier.

Please note:  appointment for a reason marked with a * require a double appointment or cannot be booked on-line.

Other Professionals

Health Visitor

• Child health monitoring
• Childhood immunisations
• Support and advice for families with young children
• Counterweight (weight loss) programme reviews

Training practice

The practice is involved in training and you may find from time to time that the person you are seeing is consulting with a student doctor or nurse present. The student will be either an under-graduate or post-graduate (i.e. newly qualified).

You may also be asked for your consent to record your consultation either on audio or video tape. As part of the assessment for their final year in general practice fully qualified doctors use videos of consultations for training purposes.

You will always be asked prior to any consultation and you will be at no disadvantage should you decline. You may also withdraw your consent after the consultation if you so wish and the recording will be erased.

Videos are treated with the same level of confidentiality as your medical records

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

For acute illness and emergencies, home visits will always be offered on the same day. If there is no doctor immediately available in the surgery the practice staff on duty will arrange for the next available doctor to call as soon as possible.

You are asked to help us by requesting a home visit before 10:00 and only if there is a medical reason that stops you from coming to the surgery or when it is appropriate for the doctor to manage your condition at home. Due to the large practice area, where possible, we try to arrange home visits that are not immediately urgent to particular areas on regular days. 

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.