Here are some common questions we get asked here at Watling Street Surgery.
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 get my test results?
Please ring after 14:00 for test results.
Your results cannot be given to another person due to confidentiality reasons, unless you have already requested this and it is recorded in your notes. 01606 42452.
Most tests take approximately 2 working days to return, with specialised tests taking longer. X-ray and scan results are usually received by the practice 7-10 days after the test was performed. It is your responsibility to telephone for results, as we process large numbers of tests each day and are unable to telephone individual results.
How do I make an appointment?
The practice offers face-to-face and telephone appointments.
We have more than 7,400 registered patients and recognise that something getting an appointment may not be easy, but we do try to offer various alternative from pre-bookable appointments to urgent telephone triage.
Please do not blame the receptionist if your ideal time is not available, as they can only offer what is there and will always do their best to assist you. When phoning in, you will be asked for a reason for your request. This will be so we can give you the best appointment to suit your problem.
Online Booking
We also have a number of appointments that can be booked online via the patient access system. You do need to register for this service, which can be done by speaking to a member of the reception team.
Cancellations
When patients fail to attend pre-booked appointments it prevents someone else being seen. If patients frequently fail to turn up or give enough cancellation notice (24 hours) they may be asked to register elsewhere. Patients will be given three formal warnings in regards to unattended appointments, before being removed from the practice list.
How do I obtain a sickness certificate?
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).
How do I order a repeat prescription?
How to place an order for a repeat prescription:
- Completing the repeat prescription slip provided with your medication.
- Online Via EMIS Patient Access – Read More
- Via fax – 01606 350440
You can instruct a chemist on your behalf to order, collect and deliver medication. We do not accept repeat prescriptions over the phone. To avoid giving the wrong medication, we only accept written requests from patients, or the tick sheet given with medication.
How do I register with the practice?
If you live within the practice boundaries (if you are unsure our team will be happy to help) you can register at the practice.
You can either register by visiting our practice and speaking to one of our reception team who will help you complete a form or by downloading the form beforehand and taking it to our reception team.
More information can be found on our ‘New Patient registration’ page.
How do I update my personal information?
If you have a new address or phone number then please contact our reception team who will be able to update your details on our system.
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
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.