• Is it essential that i am seen on the same day?
Please don’t request a same day appointment unless you consider your problem to be medically urgent. If you are not sure, then our reception team will support and guide you. Inappropriate requests and use of same day appointments prevents genuinely urgent problems been seen.
• Turn up or cancel
On a daily basis we struggle to accommodate patients’ requests for appointments. Please do not miss an appointment that you have booked. This is wasted time that could be used for another patient. If you can’t make an appointment or need to reschedule, please let us know immediately.
• Can anyone else help?
Before you make an appointment, please think about whether there are any other services that might be more appropriate. For example, remember that pharmacists are trained to give advice about minor health problems and answer any questions about your medicines and treatment. The NHS 111 system is also available to guide you to appropriate sources of advice. Similarly, you can also get seen by clinicians at our local walk in centre.
• What is the problem?
Understandably many people are reluctant to tell a receptionist about the reason that they want to see a doctor. However, our reception team will be able to guide you in the right direction if you provide them with a brief description of symptoms / problem. We have asked our reception team to do this, as this has been proven to improve our consultation time and supports clinicians when viewing your clinical information during consultation. Our staff will treat your information with the strictest confidentiality.
• Multiple problems
A routine appointment is for 15 minutes. During this time the clinician needs to read up on your records, call you from the waiting room, deal with your problem and complete your consultation. Please note: if you have more than one problem our clinician may not be possible to deal with it in a single appointment. Please explain to the receptionist on booking if you think you will need more time, they will guide you.
• Help us to help you
Please understand that the receptionists and clinical staff are trying to meet the needs of thousands of patients, each of whom are important. We want to offer personal, patient-centred care but we are often stretched to the limit. Please try to be understanding if things aren’t completely to your satisfaction.
Many thanks for your cooperation.