Appointments

All consultations are by appointment only and the receptionists are available to answer the telephone from 08:30. We also offer telephone appointments in certain cases, for example, if you need simple advice, or the doctor wishes to discuss a test result with you. 

You can also register for our online services, and book appointments online via the link at the top of this page. Please enquire with our reception team if you would like to register to use our online services.

Patients can request to be seen by a specific doctor subject to appointment availability and the urgency of the problem.

If you wish to consult in a language other than English please bring a friend or relative with you to interpret. Alternatively, interpreters can be booked at reception in advance. We will need at least 48 hours notice to arrange for an interpreter. 

Please arrive promptly for you appointment. If you are more than 10 minutes late you may be asked to wait or re-book.

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 miss 3 or more appointments in a year at the surgery, you may be asked to register with another nearby GP.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00.

Visits are usually made in the afternoon before 16:00.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.

You can also 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.

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).