How Do I...
Make An Appointment?
Patients are requested to ring the surgery on the day that they
wish to see the doctor and an appointment will be made for you. Please
ring 01707 871980 from 8.00am. Monday mornings can be particularly busy and you
are asked to avoid ringing at this time for routine follow-up appointments.
Many of our doctors are part time and full details of their current availability
are available from reception.
We will endeavour to provide an appointment for each patient with the doctor of their choice but where this is not possible we will offer you an appointment with an alternate doctor working that day. Early morning and late afternoon/early evening pre-bookable appointments are available for those patients who work full time and are unable to attend surgery during the day.
All appointments are 10 minutes for one patient. Please do not make the doctor
run late by asking for another family member to be seen. It is not fair to the
others who have booked appointments. If you think you will need a longer time
with the doctor, please ask for a long appointment. These are for 20 minutes
(subject to availability).
Telephone Appointments
These can be booked with the doctor of choice, subject to availability. The
doctor will ring you at a specified time. Telephone appointments are useful for
medication queries, general advice and information and follow up. Sometimes a
doctor will ask you to make a telephone appointment rather than a face-to-face
consultation. Please be aware that whilst the doctor will endeavour to ring you
at the time specified, it is not always possible and we ask for your forbearance.
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WHICH DOCTOR? - Patients are able to consult with the doctor they prefer,
subject to availability. We do like to get to know our patients, so we encourage
you to see the same doctor for the same problem, if possible.
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DELAYS - Sometimes
problems take longer to sort out than expected or a doctor may be called out
to an emergency. We will try to keep you informed if delays to your appointment
time occur. We appreciate your patience and understanding at these times, which
are stressful for all concerned.
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How Do I...
Obtain Results And Queries?
01707 871982
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Phone between 2.00 and 4.00pm Monday to Friday. (2.30-4.00pm on Wednesdays)
How Do I...
Obtain A Home Visit?
01707 871982
Home visits are for the bedridden or housebound. These should be requested
BEFORE 10.30am. Please note that lack of transport is not sufficient reason for
a doctor to be called out. Children should usually be brought to the surgery.
This is in accordance with current national guidelines.
How Do I...
Obtain Certificates For Absence From Work?
| Period off work |
Certificate |
| 1-3 days |
No certificate or a private certificate signed by a doctor;
fee payable for latter |
| 4-6 days (including weekends |
SC1 (Self-certificate) completed by patient, or private
certificate signed by a doctor; fee payable for the latter |
| 7 days - 28 weeks |
Med 3 or Med 5 certifying inability to work signed by a
doctor; no fee |
| 28 weeks or more |
Med 3 or Med 5 as above until the Benefits Agency asks
for Med 4 to be completed by a doctor; no fee |
You do not need an appointment with the doctor in the first two situations
above, unless you require a private certificate, for which there will be a charge.
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