Appointments

If you look after somebody, are looked after by a carer or if you are housebound, please tell our reception team. It is important that we have this information on your medical records so that we can provide appropriate care and support.

We respect the privacy, dignity, and cultural and religious beliefs of our patients. If you would like a chaperone during your consultation, please ask at reception or speak to your clinician.

Your pharmacist can help with various conditions such as minor cuts, sprains, aches, colds, headaches, rashes, cystitis.

Why Visit Your Pharmacy?

It’s estimated 50 million visits to the GP are made every year for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema and athlete’s foot.

But by visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble. Instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can visit your local pharmacist any time, just walk in.

How your pharmacy can help.

Minor Ailments and Conditions Your Pharmacy May Help With

• mild skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, athlete’s foot
• coughs and colds, including blocked nose (nasal congestion), and sore throats
• bruises, sunburn, and minor burns and scalds
• constipation and piles (haemorrhoids)
• hay fever, dry eyes and allergies (including rashes, bites and stings)
• aches and pains, including earache, headache, migraine, back pain and toothache
• vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
• period pain, thrush and cystitis
• head lice (nits)
• conjunctivitis, cold sores and mouth ulcers
• warts and verrucas
• nappy rash and teething

To find your nearest pharmacy, please visit Find a Pharmacy.

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 can be requested for patients who are unable to unable to travel or be brought to the surgery because of serious illness and/or infirmity.

If you need a home visit and are unable to attend the practice, please telephone the surgery before 10.30am if possible. We will take your contact details and the reason you require a home visit.

A clinician may contact you before visiting to ensure that a visit is appropriate or whether the problem can be managed in a different way.

If English isn’t your first language, don’t worry we can help you by arranging an interpreter. If you need an interpreter, please let us know when booking your appointment. We will advise how long it will take for an interpreter to be arranged.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that the interpreter can be cancelled.

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.