HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN
TELEPHONE ADVICE?
Our triage nurses are able to give you telephone advice, thus saving an appointment or a visit with the doctors. If they are unable to help you and they feel you need to speak to or see a doctor they will arrange this for you. The best time to call is between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
HOW
DO I...
MAKE
AN APPOINTMENT?
Telephone (01793) 852131
or call into the surgery. Routine appointments with a doctor may be booked up
to one week in advance. Nurses' appointments may be booked up to four weeks in
advance. Although you are registered with a particular doctor, you may see any
of them. However, it is obviously advantageous to see the same individual for
ongoing problems. Our aim is to offer you a routine appointment within three to
five working days. Holiday periods can, of course, affect this.
If
you have a more urgent need to discuss your symptoms with a medical professional,
you will be asked to speak first to one of our trained nurses for assessment.
By mutual agreement, your requirements will be managed according to their urgency.
If
you cannot keep an appointment PLEASE ring as soon as possible
to cancel it so that another patient can make use of that time.
While every
effort is made to keep to appointment times, there are sometimes unavoidable delays.
Thank you for your co-operation.
HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN
A HOME VISIT?
We do ask that you make every effort
to be seen in the surgery - several patients can be seen in the time that it takes
to do one home visit. However, if it is impossible for you to get to the surgery,
please telephone before 10.00am if you require a home visit that day. The home
visits are shared between the doctors in surgery each day so it may not always
be possible for the doctor of your choice to visit you.
Only calls relating
to serious emergencies can be accepted AFTER 10.00am.
Outside surgery hours,
telephone (01793) 852131 and listen to the message. It will tell you the number
to ring for the emergency services. For very serious emergencies, dial 999. Try
not to panic, and remember to give your name, address and telephone number.
HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN
TEST RESULTS?
Unless the GP/nurse has marked your
test "urgent", it is very unlikely that a result will be available
before seven days have elapsed.
Please telephone reception, or call in,
preferably after 2.00pm Monday to Friday.
In the interest of confidentiality,
test results will normally only be given to the patient concerned.
However,
the patient may give written permission for us to disclose medical information
to a named person, for example husband or wife. A 'permission' slip is available
from the receptionists.
HOW
DO I...
SUBMIT
SPECIMENS?
Transport is provided to take specimens to the hospital at 2.00pm each day. Specimens MUST, therefore, be handed in to reception by 1.45pm at the latest, with your name and date of birth clearly written on the container. You may telephone or call at the surgery for the results of your tests. The practice will contact you only in the event your doctor would like to discuss your results further with you.
HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN
AN NHS SICKNESS CERTIFICATE?
It is not necessary to have a GP's
certificate until you have been absent from work for seven days (including the
weekend). After three days you should obtain a self-certification form from your
employer or from us. If your employer insists on a certificate from your doctor
for an absence of less than seven days the doctor will charge a fee.
HOW
DO I...
REGISTER WITH THE PRACTICE?
We welcome new patients from within
our practice area (please see the map page). If you live
outside our practice area you can obtain advice on finding a local practice from
Wiltshire Primary Care Trust (PCT). Telephone 01380 728899 and ask for the registration
department.
The practice is a partnership and you register with the practice,
not an individual doctor. However, you may consult any doctor of your choice.
To
register you will be asked to complete and sign a new patient registration form.
HOW
DO I...
OBTAIN
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS?
Requests for repeat medication can be made by submitting the counterfoil from your existing prescription, either by post, fax (01793-848891), or in person. You may also email your request to tinkerslanescripts@nhs.net
These must be received at least TWO full working days before they are required for collection (eg requests received on Thursday would not be ready until after 2.00pm on MONDAY). Telephone requests are NOT accepted. This is to ensure the accuracy and safety of your prescription.
As much advance notice of your request as possible would be appreciated.
There are currently three pharmacies in Wootton Bassett. We can forward your prescription to the pharmacy of your choice if you make your wishes known to us. The pharmacies also offer a delivery service should this be required.
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