How Do I...
Make An Appointment?

Appointments for consultations with doctors and nurses can be made in advance either by telephone or calling in at the surgery. Whenever possible you will be given an appointment to suit you with a doctor/nurse of your choice, but it must be emphasised that this may not always be possible.

We endeavour to offer you an appointment within 48 working hours.

Each appointment allows for one person and one problem only. Please ask for a separate time for each person attending and each problem to be dealt with.

All appointments are of 10 minutes' duration. However, if you think you will need more time with a doctor, please ask for a double appointment when you make your booking with the receptionist.

Please ensure that children under the age of 14 are accompanied by a responsible adult.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please let us know without delay.

Non-attendance means someone else missing out on an appointment.

There might be occasions when a medical student is present during your consultation. If you do not wish them to be present, please let the receptionist know.

Emergency Appointments

If you think your condition is urgent, you will be dealt with without delay by our triage nurse or the doctor who is on call.

Sick children will be seen as quickly as possible in surgery. It does not harm a child to be brought to the surgery warmly wrapped up unless they are extremely ill. If in doubt, telephone the surgery for advice.

There are certain emergencies that can be dealt with by local pharmacies; patients entitled to free prescriptions will be dealt with in the same way as they would be at their doctors.

Morning after pill Headlice Sore throat / cold / flu

Diarrhoea in children Hayfever Insect bites and stings

If you are pregnant and experience bleeding, contact EPAU on 01709 304398 between 9.00am and 5.00pm for advice.

PLEASE BE A PATIENT PATIENT

How Do I...
Obtain Telephone Advice?

You may ask to speak to a doctor on the telephone if necessary. Unless the matter is urgent the best time is after morning surgery (after 11.00am).

How Do I...
Obtain A Home Visit?

Requests for emergency visits take priority at all times. For a home visit please telephone before 10.30am so that the doctors have enough time to arrange their visits in order of urgency and therefore avoid unnecessary delays.

Home visits are for people whose illness renders them truly housebound. The doctor can see four or five patients in surgery during the time it takes to do one home visit.

Typical examples of home visits are for people who are:

• Terminally ill
• Elderly and infirm
• Where the journey to the surgery would exacerbate their condition, for example a severe disc prolapse.

For most other conditions doctors expect patients to be seen in surgery and the doctors may need surgical equipment for examination, which would not be available at home. When requesting a home visit, it is necessary to leave a contact telephone number.

Please bear in mind that emergency appointments are offered each day for certain conditions and will allow easier access.

Feverish children can quite safely be transported to surgery where they can be seen immediately if necessary.