Appointments

We do not offer a walk-in service at any time - patients are normally seen by appointment only.

Evening surgeries - Tuesdays and Thursdays 

As part of our ongoing commitment to our patients to offer appointments that fit in with their lifestyle, we are offering evening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 5 pm and 7.30 pm, with Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses and Health Care Assistants. These appointments may be booked in advance.

How to book an appointment at the Surgery - changing from May 19th

TRIAGE will be open daily from 8am-12.30pm ONLY.  This service gives direct access to a call back from a nurse practitioner or GP who can usually offer same day advice or appointments. 

As always, emergencies will be dealt with at any time.  Requests for home visits need to be made by 10.00am.

Appointments can now be booked in advance. Telephone appointments are 5 minutes, face-to-face appointments are 10 minutes.  The telephones are closed between 12.30-13.00pm, although the answer machine gives details of the practice mobile for emergencies not requiring 999 over this 30 minute period. 

Please note: The doctors have asked the receptionists to ask you for a brief description of your condition. They are not being intrusive; this helps the clinician on duty assess the urgency of your call back.

Please inform the receptionist if you need a longer than usual appointment for additional discussions or a medical. Doing this will save you making another appointment at a later date.

Branch Surgery

Moorside Branch Surgery is open mornings only, with doctor and nurse appointments.  Appointments for annual checks can be done by the Moorside nurse.

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. The cancellation number is 01207 585895.

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.

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)