How our appointment system works
We offer face to face and telephone appointments with the GPs and have both book on the day and pre-bookable appointments available. We have been phasing in pre-bookable appointments over the last few months so that patients can now book in advance.
Both book on the day and pre-bookable appointments become available as we open each morning at 8am. We are currently expanding the time frame over which the pre-bookable appointments become available. We are also able to offer appointments in our GP extended access clinics which are based at Alderwood Medical Practice.
We still need to ask the reason for the appointment so that we know we are booking correctly and to make sure we are not booking patients with symptoms that may be covid. If there is any doubt we will offer a telephone appointment. This allows the GP to decide if a patient can attend for an appointment.
Wherever possible the reception staff will offer an appointment – they can however only offer what is available to them at the time of the call.
Emergencies take priority at all times.
All nursing appointments are pre-bookable. We ask patients to contact us well in advance of knowing that they need an appointment so that we can be sure to offer one at the appropriate time.
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.
Call the practice 01543 576138 to cancel your appointment
Or use Patient Access to cancel an appointment online.
Chaperones
This organisation is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.
All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. The chaperone may be a family member or friend. On occasions you may prefer a formal chaperone to be present i.e. a trained member of staff.
Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking your appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not possible, we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However, it may be necessary to re-schedule your appointment.
Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our Chaperone Policy.
If you would like to see a copy of our Chaperone Policy or have any questions or comments regarding this, please contact the Practice Manager.
Getting the Most out of an Appointment
In Great Britain, patients on average have just ten minutes with their GP. The British Medical Association (BMA)‘s Doctor Patient Partnership offers the following advice to help you use this time effectively.
Be Prepared
Make a list of any questions or problems you wish to discuss before hand.
Take a pen and paper as you may want to note down important points.
Wear loose clothing if it’s likely you will need to be examined.
Be prepared to tell your doctor of any non-prescription medicines or supplements you are taking.
You can bring someone with you for support.
During The Appointment
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If you don’t understand, ask your doctor to repeat it or write it down.
If you are prescribed a drug, make sure you know why it has been given to you, how long to take it for etc. Remember pharmacists are experts in medication and a very useful source of advice.
Be direct. If you have a problem that you find embarrassing or difficult to talk about, don’t leave it to the end of the appointment before mentioning it. Remember your problem is likely to a common one for your GP, who is there to help you.
One problem at a time
If you have several problems it is more effective in the long run to concentrate on just one problem during the consultation than to have to rush through a list of problems. Be prepared to make another appointment so that each problem can be given the time it needs to be sorted out.
Be on Time
Be on time for your appointment, or inform the surgery as soon as possible, if you wish to cancel your appointment.
Separate Appointments
Make a separate appointment for each member of the family.
Under 14 Year Olds
Accompany under 14 year olds. If however, a young person strongly wishes to be treated without his/her parent’s involvement, his or her confidentiality will be respected.
Home Visits
Whilst we expect 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 10:30.
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 triage visits.
Sometimes we may advise an urgent ambulance attends to you, depending on the severity of your problem.
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.
Late For Your Appointment
Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until the next working day-except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Text Reminder Service
We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.
To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.
Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.