Appointments

Consultations are normally available between 08:30 - 20:00 Monday to Wednesday and from 08:30 - 18:30 on Thursdays and Fridays. 

Our practice is committed to offering you an appointment within 48 hours with a doctor if you have an urgent (but not emergency) problem. You may request to see any of the doctors or nurses within our team. Where possible, for routine problems and particularly for long term conditions we will try to enable you to see the same medical practitioner in order for them to build up a knowledge of your health needs.

Telephone Advice

If you would like advice about a particular problem, then you are welcome to request a telephone appointment which will usually be between 12:00 and 13:00. Calls may be taken at other times but it may be necessary to leave a message.

Practice nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly. Please ask one of our reception team if you are unsure who is best placed to deal with your problem. 

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 before 11:00.

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)

Medical & Nursing students at Goodwood Court and The Eaton Centre:

Medical students and student nurses attend placements at the medical centre. You may be asked to see the doctor or nurse with a student present. We'll always ask you beforehand if this is acceptable. You can of course decline and even if you agree you may ask for the student to leave at any time during your consultation if you prefer your privacy.