FAQs

Are you open on Bank Holidays?

No, we are closed on Bank Holidays. However, if you need medical advice or attention during this time you can:

Visit your pharmacy – Your local pharmacy can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaint. Visit NHS Choices to find a pharmacy open near you.

Call NHS 111 – If you need urgent medical advice but your condition is not life threatening. NHS 111 Is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.

A&E or 999 – for a genuine medical emergency including; loss of consciousness, acute confused state and fits that are not stopping, persistent and/or severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.

Do you close at lunchtimes?

No our reception is open over lunchtime.

How do I order a repeat prescription?

If you need a repeat prescription, please request this at least five full working days before you run out.

It is Practice Policy to only take repeat requests by the tear-off portion of your previous prescription, which is issued with your medication from the chemist. We do not accept repeat prescription requests over the telephone, this is for patient and clinical safety purposes and also to free up the telephone lines for other requests or enquiries.

You can either post your request to us, place it in our post box at the surgery by hand or order online using Emis Access or MyGP app (see links on this website).

Unless otherwise requested your repeat prescriptions will be sent to the local chemist where they can be collected. We are now using Electronic prescribing, where your nominated chemist will electronically receive your prescription from your GP, this will enable us to track where your prescription is at any time.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time should you choose to use a different provider, just let the new pharmacy or your GP practice know.

How do I register with the practice?

When you register with us, you register with the practice and not a doctor. However, you may wish to state a preferred doctor you wish to see. Although you state a preferred doctor, this doctor might not always be available when you wish to see them. You will always be able to see another doctor if your preferred doctor is not available, otherwise, you will have to wait until their next available appointment.

Children under 5 will receive contact from the Health Visitor who will inform parents or guardians of the services available. If you take regular medication we would ask you to make an appointment to see the GP so that this can be entered into your records.

Please note that when patients join our practice we do not discriminate on the grounds of Race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation or appearance, disability or medical condition.

If you would like to register at this practice then please complete the registration form and hand into one of our receptionists.

Please note we only accept patients who fall within our practice boundary.

What are the NHS Prescription Charges?

Most adults in England have to pay prescription charges.

Some items are always free, including contraceptives and medicines prescribed for hospital inpatients.

The current prescription charge is £9.35 per item.

A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) could save you money on NHS prescription costs:

  • a 3-month PPC costs £30.25
  • a 12-month PPC is £108.10

Find out how to save money with a PPC

What is CQC?

The CQC (Care Quality Commission) is the organisation making sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourage care services to improve.

Before a care provider can carry out any of the activities that regulated by the CQC, they must register and satisfy them that they will be able to meet a number of legal requirements. Activities regulated includes the treatment, care and support provided by hospitals, GP practices, dental practices, ambulance services, care homes and home-care agencies.

For more information about the CQC, you can visit their website.

Why does the receptionist need to ask what’s wrong with me?

The reception staff are members of the practice team and it has been agreed they should ask patients ‘why they need to be seen’. Reception staff are trained to ask certain questions in order to ensure that you receive the most appropriate medical care from the most appropriate health professional at the most appropriate time.

The receptionists are asked to collect brief information from patients to help:

  • doctors prioritise house visits and phone calls
  • ensure patients receive the appropriate level of care
  • direct patients to see the nurse or other health professionals rather than a doctor where appropriate.

Reception staff, like all members of the team, are bound by confidentiality rules:

  • Any information given by you is treated strictly confidentially.
  • The practice would take any breach of confidentiality very seriously and deal with it accordingly.
  • You can ask to speak to the receptionist in private, away from the reception desk.
  • However, if you feel your issue is very private and do not wish to say what this is, then this will be respected.