Appointments

The practice operates an appointment system for consultations with the doctor/nurse.  Appointments can be made in person or by telephoning 01592 765001.  You may consult any of the doctors, but it is preferable to keep to the one regular doctor you know best, especially when dealing with an ongoing problem.

Urgent/Emergency Appointments

If you need an urgent/emergency appointment, please book the appointment as soon as possible at 08:30. You must be prepared to wait and accept another doctor if your own doctor is too busy or not available.  We would ask you not to abuse this system. 

What to do in an Emergency

A doctor is always on call, telephone 01592 765001.  If possible, the patient or patient’s representative should speak to the doctor or his/her receptionist.  You may be asked to come to the health centre treatment room to have necessary treatment.  In certain circumstances, if the doctor cannot attend immediately, an ambulance may be dispatched.  Please bear in mind that the doctor may have to leave a fully booked surgery, depending on the urgency of the situation. 

Interpreter

The practice has access to interpreters. Please ask at reception if this service is required.

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.

Suffering from a minor illness and want some advice as quickly as possible?

DID YOU KNOW...

that your local pharmacist can give you confidential advice and treatment if needed for a number of common illnesses without the need for an appointment with your GP?

Here are just some of the conditions that your pharmacist

can help you with:

Coughs, colds and sore throats

Minor skin conditions and acne

Athletes foot

Styes and minor eye infections

Head lice

Pain, including backache

Cold sores

Diarrhoea/constipation

Colic

Thrush

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 10:30.

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.

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)

Training Practice

The Glenwood Medical practice is a GP training practice.  The practice also undertakes the teaching of undergraduate medical students.

During a teaching period, the receptionist will inform you on your arrival that there will be a medical student present at your appointment.  Should you wish the medical student not to be present during your consultation with the doctor, the receptionist will inform the doctor accordingly.