Appointments

The doctor and nurse can see patients by appointment throughout the day. You can make an appointment by phoning or calling in at reception.

If your problem is urgent, we will see you as soon as possible that day. If you feel that you need more time than usual with the doctor, please ask when you make your appointment.

Please note, a parent or guardian should accompany all children under the age of 16 years.

Advice over the Telephone

If you need advice over the phone, please ring 0114 2610 623. If no one is free to take your call, a receptionist will take your name and number and the doctor or nurse will return your call.

Interpreter

An Urdu/Punjabi speaking interpreter is available every morning.

Research

If the doctor or nurse is carrying out research, we may ask you to take part in the research programme. In these cases, we would always explain the reasons for the research and who would have access to the information. We will ask for your written permission but you do not have to take part.

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.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage 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 10:00.

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 schedule house calls

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.

Hospital Referrals

If you need to be referred to hospital you will be involved, where possible, in the decision of which hospital you will go to and which specialist you will see. You will be offered a choice from a selection of local hospitals. You may be able to book your appointment by telephoning a dedicated a help line giving you the chance to choose an appointment which is convenient for you.

(If you change your address between being referred and going to hospital, please let the hospital know to make sure they send your appointments to the correct address).

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced).