HOW
DO I...
MAKE
AN APPOINTMENT?
- Urgent cases are seen on the day.
- If your condition is non-urgent, you can expect to see a GP within two working days, though you may have to wait longer if you want to see a particular GP. Please note most of our GPs work part-time so there will be days you will not always be able to see your doctor of choice.
We have a mixture of open access and advance booking.
- You should be able to choose a morning or afternoon appointment whichever day of the week you ring Seascale.
- If you wish to see a particular GP it may be advisable to make an advance booking. Half of the appointments in each GP session can be booked ahead. If this allocation is already taken on the day(s) you wish to come you may need to phone in on the day. Appointments can be made from 8.00am for appointments starting at 9.00am.
Advance booked appointments should be made where:
- additional time and preparation are required, e.g. for minor operations and screening such as coil fitting, postnatal checks etc.
- a patient needs to arrange release from work or school or to fit in with transport arrangements
- a patient finds it difficult to book on the day or wishes to see a particular GP.
Let us know if more than one person in the family needs to be seen. We can give you a longer appointment if necessary.
Tell us if you want someone to accompany you during an examination or a private room to discuss any matters. Remember that the results of tests can only be given to the patient.
Follow-up appointments for chronic disease clinics and treatment room nursing can also be made in advance. As these appointments can be made several months ahead please note they may need to be changed due to unforeseen changes to the clinic.
For ongoing matters please try to see your usual doctor. Urgent conditions will have to be seen by an available doctor when you call to make the appointment.
A list of each GP's normal work pattern can be obtained from reception and is often advertised in the ‘WellWellWell’ newsletter as a reminder.
Appointments with doctors are scheduled for 15 minutes. If you know in advance you will not require the full 15 minutes, please advise reception when making the call.
All our health providers endeavour to keep to the schedule but occasionally some delay may occur when a patient requires additional time or emergencies crop up. Please try to be tolerant of these delays: you may be the patient requiring additional time in the future.
You can help us by:
· Being on time for your appointment
· Letting us know if you need to cancel or will be late
· Calling for a home visit or urgent appointment before 10am
· Ringing for a repeat prescription during the times stated in dispensary
Please ensure you advise reception when you arrive for your appointment otherwise you will not be called by the doctor or nurse as their computer screen will say you have not arrived.
Choose and Book (Referral Appointments)
Most referrals are made using the national Choose and Book system. This system occasionally has difficulties. When Choose and Book is working well your GP or Nurse Practitioner should be able to discuss your choice of appointments and book an appointment of your preference at the time of your consultation. If the system is out of service, you may be given instructions on how to make the appointment yourself. Surgery staff, in particular the medical secretaries, will work with you to ensure you receive your appointment. If you have any queries on your referral please contact the medical secretaries for advice.
HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION?
To speak to a doctor by telephone, e.g. to obtain test results, please ring reception as normal and they will arrange a time with you for the doctor to call you back.
Many other consultations can also be carried out over the phone and we encourage patients to use this facility. It could be advantageous for patients living in isolated areas where a visit to the practice is difficult. If more consultations are done over the phone each doctor will be able to increase the number of patients they deal with in each session.
HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN
A HOME VISIT?
Our doctors typically see four patients in the practice in the time it takes to do a single home visit. For this reason, we ask our patients to come to the practice if at all possible. However, we can visit you at home if your condition means you cannot attend one of our practices. Please ring before 10am to arrange a visit and let us know if your condition is urgent, the doctor will decide if a home visit is the best option; they may telephone you at home prior to a visit to discuss your problem.
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