Appointments
To make an appointment telephone either surgery (0844 477 3495). This number links our 2 main sites together allowing us to transfer calls to staff wherever they are working. In addition it gives us the capacity to use any of our staff to answer an incoming call.
The number changes have helped us to identify the volume of calls we have. In an average month we can receive 9,500 calls.
Call Charges - Mobile costs may vary
The 0844 telephone number is charged at 5p per minute including VAT by most providers. Mobile charges to 0844 numbers can vary depending on the package so please check with your provider.
Why Does The Receptionist Ask Me To Tell Them Briefly The Nature Of My Problem?
The Partners of the practice introduced the system to try and direct our patients to the most apropriate team member. Not all issues require a Doctors appointment. Many people are not aware of the different roles within the practice or the services we offer.
By obtaining a brief description the receptionist can direct the patient to the most appropriate person in the team to meet their needs for the specific problem, for example if you need travel advice, the practice nurses can advise you. If you need a blood test the phlebotomists will take your blood. Smears are usually carried out by a practice nurse. Minor illnesses can be treated by the nurse practitioner. Please do not be embarrassed. All of the reception staff are highly professional and patient confidentiality is of paramount importance.
If you have long-term health problems we encourage you to see the same doctor wherever possible. If this is not the case it is still preferable to see the same doctor for the duration of one problem.
To offer the most efficient service to patients we may invite you occasionally to attend the opposite surgery to your usual one, provided you have transport to travel. Sometimes your usual doctor may be overbooked or unavailable and on these occasions we will invite you to see another doctor. Currently, the surgery is offering a triage system which is run by doctors. The receptionist will ask you some questions to help them direct you to the most appropriate person. The receptionist may offer you a doctor's telephone appointment.
The Surgery has a Doctor available for medical advice in the morning and afternoon Monday to Friday. Please telephone the surgery during the working day on 08444 773495 and we will be pleased to arrange for a Doctor to return your call. They will offer advice over the telephone or book an appointment with a member of our team.
Phone Advice
If you would like to speak to a Doctor or Nurse, please contact the surgery in the usual way and ask to speak to the person you need. If the person is in surgery the receptionist will take your details and ask the Doctor/Nurse to call you back.