Appointments

All surgeries are run on an appointment basis. We strongly believe in continuity of care and the idea of a family doctor, so we ask you always to see your own doctor except:

• in an emergency
• during doctor’s holidays (when a partner will be happy to help with urgent problems)
• for specific clinics
• if you wish to see a same gender doctor  
• for a particular problem

To make an urgent or non-urgent appointment, please call in or phone the relevant surgery at the following times:

• Little Common:  Call in from 08:25 or phone the surgery between 08:00 – 13:00 or 14:00 – 18:30.
• Old Town: Call in or phone the surgery from 08:00 – 13:00 or 14:00 -18:30.

We also offer an on-line booking facility for non-urgent appointments with your GP, please contact reception for details.

We now offer early morning appointments for working patients

Telephone Consultations

It may not always be necessary to have a face-to-face consultation with the doctor therefore we offer telephone consultations for which the doctor/nurse will telephone you within an agreed timescale. To book a telephone consultation please telephone the surgery between 08:00 – 13:00 or 14:00 – 18:30.

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.

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 between 08:00 - 10:30.

• Little Common: 01424 847575
• Old Town: 01424 739420

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP/Paramedic Practitioner 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)

Training Practice

We are involved in the training of post-graduate doctors in the specialist skills of general practice. These doctors are always fully qualified, but feel free to refuse these appointments if you wish.

We also on occasion offer short term placements to qualified paramedic practitioners.