HOME
PAGE 4
January 2007
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Patient-Practice Protocol
Q1 How do I find out if I can join the
practice?
Q2 What if I need to see a doctor before
I have registered?
Q3 What if I don't live in this area but
I need to see a doctor?
Q4 How quickly
will I be given an appointment with a doctor or a nurse?
Q5 What should I do if I need a doctor to
make a home visit?
Q6 Can I see any of the other doctors if the one
I normally see is not available?
Q7 How long will
my appointment take?
Q8 What if I need
to see a doctor on Saturday?
Q9 What if I need
a doctor "out of hours"?
Q10 I'm going
abroad. Do I need holiday vaccinations, and when should I have them?
Q11 I have a
private health insurance form. Will the doctor complete it for me and
what is the charge?
Q12 I am unable to
go on holiday due to illness. Will the doctor complete my cancellation
claim form?
Q1:- How do I find out if I can join the practice?
A:- You must have just moved into the area, and not already be registered with another doctor in this area. If you would like to check whether you are in our catchment area please feel free to come in or phone on 020 8428 4019 and a receptionist will let you know. When you have confirmed you are eligible to join, you will be asked to collect a registration form from the front desk. This should be completed and returned with your NHS card. (If you do not have an NHS card, you must collect a GMS1 form from Reception and complete this in its place). These should be completed and handed in to the practice. Your details will be entered on our computer and you will then be registered at this practice. The Strategic Health Authority (SHA) will be notified of your change of doctor and apply to your previous SHA for your clinical records. Your previous SHA will then notify your old doctor and request your notes. These will be sent via the SHAs and the whole process can take a number of weeks.
You will be invited to have a new patient health check with one of the nurses. This will allow us to find out more about your health and family history, as well as taking basic measurements such as height, weight, blood pressure and so on.
Q2:- What if I need to see a doctor before I have registered?
A:- You can be registered as a temporary patient, for anything from 24 hours to 3 months. This allows you to be seen by a doctor at the practice before you have registered as a regular patient.
Q3:- What if I don't live in this area but I need to see a doctor?
A:- If you are registered with another GP in the
If you are not registered with a GP, please check with Reception. The receptionist will need to ask some questions to find out if you are eligible for NHS treatment.
Q4:- How quickly will I be given an appointment for a doctor or a nurse?
A:- You will be offered the first available appointment with a doctor or a nurse depending on your needs. If you feel you should be seen more urgently i.e. something which cannot wait, the receptionist will try to fit you between patients for that session. If this is not possible, you will be asked to come along at the end of surgery. The receptionist is not normally able to fit you in as an urgent patient if you call in the morning and want to be fitted in for the afternoon, and vice versa.
Q5:- What should I do if I need a doctor to make a home visit?
A:- We try to see patients at the Medical Centre whenever possible because we have access to a wide range of specialist equipment. However, if you are too ill to come to the surgery or get someone to bring you, please phone as early as possible to arrange for a visit. The receptionist will ask your name and a rough outline of the problem and, if possible, pass you on to the doctor on call. The doctor who is on call will normally be running a surgery, therefore all visits unless it's an emergency will be made at the end of clinic. This means if you request a visit in the morning the doctor will call around lunch time or during the afternoon. If you call in the afternoon, your visit will be at the end of surgery around seven o'clock.
Please also see "Out of Hours" Procedure on the "About the Practice" Page.
Q6:- Can I see any of the other doctors if the one I normally see is not available?
A:- Yes, all the doctors have access to your computerised medical records and will be able to help you.
Q7:- How long will my appointment take?
A:- Each patient is allocated approximately ten minutes. Obviously some people take longer than others, and emergencies and unexpected problems can arise. Please be patient - the doctor or nurse is aware that you have arrived and will see you as soon as possible. If you are unable to wait, please let the receptionist know and she will rebook you at a convenient time.
Q8:- What if I need to see a doctor on a Saturday?
A:- As from 8th May EHMC will no longer run an emergency surgery on Saturday mornings. Further, it will not be possible to collect prescriptions on a Saturday morning.
If you have an urgent medical problem that will not wait until the Medical Centre reopens, contact 020 8428 4019 in the usual way.
Q9:- What if I need a doctor out of hours?
A:- If you need a doctor out of hours call the surgery on 020 8428 4019. You will hear a recorded message - it will be one of the following:
1. The surgery is closed and will re-open at a specific time. If your call is too urgent to wait, you will be given another number to call.
2. The surgery is closed. If your call is too urgent to wait, please contact the doctor by phoning the telephone number given. When you call this number you will be asked for a brief message which will be passed to the doctor. The doctor on call will call you back.
3. The surgery is closed. If your call is too urgent to wait, you can contact the doctors' deputising service, Harmoni, on the number given.
Q10:- I'm going abroad. Do I need holiday vaccinations, and when should I
have them?
For global information concerning vaccinations and other advice
visit the web page Traveller's
Health
A:- Even if you do not require vaccinations, we recommend you make a double
appointment with a nurse to discuss where you are going. She will advise you
what is required and will also give you advice about health issues related to
the country you are visiting.
Ideally this should be six weeks before your trip, but at least a minimum
of two weeks before you go. Some holiday vaccinations require a course of
treatment and time should be allowed for this.
There will be a charge for the certificate of vaccination which at present is £10 (May 2004).
Q11:- I have a private health insurance form. Will the doctor complete it for me and what is the charge?
A:- If one of the doctors has referred you for treatment, they will be quite happy to complete your medical claim form for you. The charge for this at the moment is £20 (May 2004). Please hand your form into Reception and allow approximately one week before returning to collect it.
Q12:- I am unable to go on holiday due to illness. Will the doctor complete my cancellation claim form?
A:- If you have
been treated for this illness by one of the doctors, they will be quite happy
to complete your form for cancellation of your holiday. The charge for this at
the moment is £25 (May 2004). Please hand in your form at Reception and allow
approximately one week before returning to collect it.
HOME PAGE