There are many services available to help you to stay healthy. Some of these services can be accessed directly (see below), and for others you need to be registered with a\u00a0GP practice (surgery).<\/p>\n
\u2022 When you wish to consult a GP about your medical condition, you will need to contact the\u00a0surgery with which you are registered to arrange to be seen. If you go along to the surgery and do not have an appointment, you may not be seen. The practice may ask you to come back at another time, or may suggest that you are seen by another health care professional or other service.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When you see your GP about a medical condition, she or he may arrange for further tests to be carried out. If so, they will explain the arrangements for these tests and how you will get the results. These tests may be carried out within the practice or elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If your GP thinks that you need to be seen by a specialist doctor or other health care professional, she or he will refer you. You cannot make an appointment to see an NHS specialist without being referred by your GP.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If you need a medicine the GP will give you a prescription which you will need to take to a\u00a0pharmacy, which will supply the medicine for you.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If you have a preference for either a male or a female GP please check with the practice before you register, as some practices may have only male or only female doctors.<\/p>\n
\u2022 An interpreting service is available and the practice can arrange for an interpreter who may work either face-to-face or by telephone.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If you need to use the interpreting service please ensure you ask the receptionist to arrange this when making an appointment.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If someone else is contacting the practice on your behalf, please remind them to ask the\u00a0receptionist to book an interpreter.<\/p>\n
Help your practice to help you \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Practices can be busy places and staff try hard to accommodate their patients \u2013 in return you are asked to behave in a polite and considerate manner. And there are some things that you can do that help the practice to keep surgeries running smoothly, so that people are seen at the right time.<\/p>\n \u2022 When you have an appointment please attend at the time stated, and if you are not able to attend please let the practice know in advance, so the appointment can be used by someone else who needs it.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you do not attend appointments, the practice may de-register you. This means that you would stop being a patient of that practice and would no longer be seen by them.<\/p>\n \u2022 If more than one member of your family needs to see the doctor or other health care professional, please book one appointment per patient.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you have to discuss a complex medical issue please let the receptionist know so a suitable length of appointment can be arranged.<\/p>\n \u2022 Please notify the practice if you change your address and \/ or telephone or mobile phone number.<\/p>\n What other help is available<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 If you have a cough or cold or if your child has a minor ailment your pharmacist may be able to help you. There are Minor Injuries Units\u00a0<\/strong>at which staff will assess and either treat a minor injury or, if they find a more serious problem, arrange for you to be transferred elsewhere.They can treat a range of injuries including sprains, burns and simple fractures.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 If you have an eye problem, you should go to an optometrist.
\n\u2022 If you have a dental problem, you should go to a dentist.
\n\u2022 If you have a foot problem, you can access our podiatry services.
\n\u2022 If you need to see a specialist your GP will refer you.
\n\u2022 If you become unwell when your surgery is closed, please dial the surgery number as normal and your call will be transferred to the out of hours service or alternatively you may be given another telephone number to call.
\n\u2022 24 hour emergency cover is provided by NHS111. You can contact them on telephone no: 111 or access their website HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n