Can another Healthcare Professional help?
Do you need to see the GP?
Sometimes the GP is not the most appropriate Healthcare Professional to deal with your ailment. Please see the information on see a Doctor or Healthcare Professional, which might help you decide whether a GP appointment is truly necessary or whether it might be better for you to see a Pharmacist, Optician, Dentist or other Healthcare Professional. You can even self-refer for some services without seeing your GP.
For real life-threatening emergencies such as those below – RING 999
- Chest pain (suspected heart attack)
- Suspected stroke
- Suspected meningitis
- Anaphylactic shock (severe allergy)
- Heavy bleeding or deep lacerations
- Fluctuating levels of consciousness or completely unconscious
- Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing with a change in colour
- New seizure, fit or uncontrollable shaking
For immediately serious conditions such as the following, GO TO Emergency Department (A&E) IMMEDIATELY
- A fever and lethargic (drowsy) child
- A feverish and floppy (unresponsive) infant
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain
- Accidental or intentional overdose of medication
- Trauma (including falls) and possible broken bones or road traffic accident
Appointments
The quickest and easiest way to book an appointment or get help or advice, both administrative and clinical, is to complete an online form. This allows you to explain why you want an appointment and can be filled in online at any time, day or night, and even on the weekend. The practice can then decide how best to help you – you may not even need to come in to the surgery. If you complete your online consultation request before 3pm on a working day we will get back to you on the same day. If you do need an appointment we will contact you to arrange this.
If you are unable to access the online form please call reception directly on 01297 32126. They will ask you a few questions so that we can prioritise urgent matters.
Emergencies
If your problem is urgent but not an emergency we would still recommend that you start by filling out an online form. If you have an emergency you will need to contact 999. If you need a same day appointment you may be seen by one of our Nurse Practitioners. Our Nurse Practitioners are qualified prescribers and can deal with many problems and prescribe the necessary medication. However, if they feel you need to see a doctor they can book you into any of the emergency appointments that are available later that day.
Practice Nurses
In a number of cases you may be booked in with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly. Our practice nurses carry out various procedures including cervical smears, wound dressings and ear syringing. In addition we also employ health care assistants who are responsible for routine blood tests, ECGs, new patient checks and some dressings.
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. You can cancel the appointment directly via the NHS App or the SystmOnline patient portal.
If you have a suspected infectious disease
Please inform reception if you suspect an infectious disease, as this will enable us to deal with it appropriately during your visit to protect you, other patients and staff.
Giving Consent for Treatment
You have the right to accept or refuse treatment that is offered to you, and not to be given any physical examination or treatment unless you have given valid consent. If you do not have the capacity to do so, consent must be obtained from a person legally able to act on your behalf, or the treatment must be in your best interests.
Your valid consent (agreement to the course of action) is needed for the treatment that’s offered to you before any physical examinations or treatment can be given. If you haven’t given your consent, you can accept or refuse treatment that’s offered to you.
It’s important to be involved in decisions about your treatment and to be given information to help you choose the right treatment. When making treatment choices, you’ll often discuss the options with your doctor or another healthcare professional.