How to Make An Appointment With Your Doctor
Who is my doctor?
When you join our patient list you are registered with the specific surgery, not an
individual GP. All the doctors are responsible for your care. There are two full time
GPs and three part time doctors. These are:





Dr Alison Weaving
Dr Mark Adams
Dr Hilary Neve
Dr Mary Embleton
Dr Andy Gaston
The doctors work as a team so you will be asked to speak to whichever of them is
available when you contact us for advice or treatment.
How do I make an appointment to see my doctor?
This surgery runs a "GP Access" system that makes sure you get the treatment you
need without spending time waiting for a surgery appointment if this is not
necessary. When you contact us, the receptionist will take your phone number (and
any special instructions about when you can be contacted) and the doctor will call
you back within an agreed length of time. You can then discuss the matter with the
doctor. The doctor will then agree the next steps with you.
This may be:



An appointment
You may need some tests first
The doctor may suggest management or a prescription over the phone.
You can continue to arrange appointments to see a nurse or health care assistant
with the receptionist.
Does this mean I can only book appointments on the day I ring?
No. If, after you have spoken to the doctor, you need an appointment this will be
arranged. Most people choose to be seen on the same day, but if this is not
convenient, or you would prefer a different day, we can arrange this for a date and
time to suit you.
Do I have to ring first thing in the morning to get an appointment?
Our Patient Access system means that you no longer have to ring at 8.30am to be
sure of getting an appointment. However, if you feel you might need an
appointment that day, PLEASE ring before 10.30 if possible, so we can fit everyone
in.
Will I be seen in person if this is needed?
Yes. The system means that by dealing with straightforward things over the phone
we have enough surgery appointments to ensure that you can see someone in
person if you need to.
What if I have problems getting to the phone?
Please let us know if you have difficulty using the phone and we will make special
arrangements. If you cannot take a call at work, you can ask for an early or late call
from the doctor. Alternatively we can usually arrange to ring you when you have a
break. We understand that you may not want to discuss personal things if you can be
overheard, so let the receptionist know when you first ring if this is the case.
I don’t like discussing things with the receptionists.
You don’t have to, but it will help us and help you if you are prepared to give the
receptionists some idea of why you are calling. This will help them direct the call to
the right person, maybe sort the problem out immediately or help us to prioritise
our calls. The receptionists are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as all the
staff and GPs and as the handler of your records have full access to your data.
Remember, this system is designed to ensure you see or speak to the right
healthcare professional and to prevent you making unnecessary trips to the
surgery. Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcIaHnoEdoA for a BBC
programme about the Patient Access system