This guide is designed to explain the difference between the available Doctors’ and Nurses’ appointments.  Many minor illnesses can be treated with advice from the pharmacist and over-the-counter medication.

ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS
Routine appointments with a GP are booked ahead.  You will generally get more consultation time for routine appointments.  This may allow us to manage more than one problem or sort out prescriptions as well as managing the main presenting problem.  If you have 2 or more complex problems bear in mind that this may require 2 appointments.  If you are following up on an on-going problem it is helpful if you can see the same Doctor - mention this to the receptionist.

Any non-urgent appointments should ideally be seen in a routine appointment so that you get the best service from us.

NURSE PRACTITIONER APPOINTMENTS / SAME DAY SURGERY
These appointments with the Nurse Practitioner are available between 9am- 5.30pm (termtime) and are for minor self limiting illnesses( see separate list).  They cannot be booked ahead, usually become available from 9am for that day only, and are for a single problems for which you are requesting an appointment on that day. Additional minor problems or prescriptions will not be dealt with in these same day appointments.   If the Nurse Practitioner feels you should see a doctor this will be arranged for the same day.

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS
We retain a few same-day appointments with each Doctor and these will be used by the Nurse Practitioner if the Nurse feels the patient needs to see a doctor.  They are not booked ahead and are for single problems that need to be treated by a doctor on that day.

EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS
Medical emergencies can be seen either in the daily Nurse Practitioner clinics or as specific “Urgent appointments” during a doctors surgery.  We will only see medically urgent problems in the doctors’ urgent appointments and you may be asked to come down and wait to be fitted in.  You may be asked to give the receptionists some information about your medical problem. 
Please do not misuse this important resource.

PRACTICE NURSE APPOINTMENTS
Appointments with the Practice Nurses can be booked ahead as well as some being kept for same day appointments.  The Practice Nurses deal with oral contraception, emergency contraception, smears, sexual health, & advice, travel advice and vaccinations, immunisations, minor wounds & injuries, sutures & regular dressings, asthma reviews and chronic disease management etc

HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT
Appointments are available in the morning during term time for phlebotomy, ECGs, Blood pressures etc.  During the vacation these services are carried out by the nurses.

CHAPERONES
Male and female doctors are available in both practices and a chaperone (either a healthcare assistant, nurse or female member of staff) can accompany you if you wish.  Please ask at reception or tell the Doctor or Nurse if you have a preference.