Change to Appointment System from 1St August 2016

Change to Appointment System from 1st August 2016

From 1stAugust 2016 The Medical Centrewill be offering a daily‘sit and wait surgery’ in addition to our normal services. This is being provided in response to changing demands and expectations on General Practice and will enable patients to be seen on the same day that they require an appointment.

‘Sit and Wait’ Surgery

This daily service allows patients to be seen by a Doctor or our Advanced Nurse Practitionerby presenting at the practice between 8.30 and 10.30 each morning. All patients will be checked in at Reception and will be seen by the next available GP or the Advanced Nurse Practitioner. There will be no requirement to telephone in advance. Patients will not be able to choose a particular doctor but will be seen on a first come, first served basis as each clinician becomes available. There may be some waiting time depending on the amount of patients attending that day and the number of consulting Doctors available. Only one medical problem can be addressed per appointment. Please ask the reception staff to deal with administrative issues in the first instance e.g. prescription requests, forms, letters, appointment queries etc. Patients who require a same day appointment after 10.30a.m should telephone the practice as normal.

Book In Advance

Afternoon surgeries with a doctor can be booked in advance by presenting in person, telephone, or online using Vision Online Services. You must register at the practice in order to use this service. Advance booking of morning appointments for nurses remains unchanged. You may book in advance to see any GP, Advanced Nurse Practitioner or Practice Nurse.

Telephone Consultations

Telephone consultations are available to book in advance for any Doctor or the Advanced Nurse Practitioner. These consultations are useful for minor issues where a physical examination would not be required e.g. advice with minor ailments, to discuss results, or a medication query.

Evening Appointments

We offer somepre-bookable evening appointments with a doctor every day between5.30 and 6.30pm. These appointments are ideally suited to patients who are not normally able to attend during normal surgery hours. Please be aware there is no access to pharmacy or nursing services after 6.00pm.

Please remember there are other services that provide advice and support in our community, an appointment with your GP or Practice Nurse is not always necessary:

• Community Pharmacies (Boots, Well, Lloyds, Davidsons)
• Optician
• Dentist
• NHS Inform –
• NHS 24 available for advice 24 hours a day – Telephone 111 (free)