HOW DO I...
REGISTER WITH THE SURGERY?

Patients are registered with the surgery, not necessarily with a named doctor. Patients can, however, request to have a named "usual" doctor, if they wish, and are able to see any doctor of their choice. Whilst the practice will endeavour to comply with a request to see a named doctor it might not always be possible. If this is the case an explanation will be offered. Patients on regular medication will need to see a doctor to obtain their first prescription.

HOW DO I...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

Please telephone or call to make appointments with the doctors or nurses. You may be asked a few questions so that the urgency of the request can be established or, if your appointment is with the nurse, so that the correct amount of time can be given. The purpose of making a routine appointment is to enable you to have 10 minutes' consultation with a doctor. This should ensure that you have sufficient time to discuss your illness and plan a suitable course of treatment. If you feel your problem requires more time or if you have several issues to discuss please make a double appointment. At certain times of the year the demand for appointments is high so please be patient with us if your first choice of time or date is unavailable. Please also remember to let us know if you are unable to keep your appointment. Your appointment time can easily be given to an urgent case. We are always most grateful to receive your notification of cancellation, however late.

EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS

If you have a genuinely urgent medical problem which cannot wait until the next available routine appointment, please phone the surgery between 8.30 - 10.00am. You will be given a time for an urgent appointment with the duty doctor of the day.

For long-standing, complicated or multiple problems, repeat prescriptions etc please make a routine appointment.

If you do have to wait please be patient. Emergencies can take time.

CONSULTATIONS

Do not be surprised if your doctor does not give you a prescription. Most common, simple illnesses get better without any treatment at all. In particular, antibiotics will not cure coughs, colds and flu. Indeed, they may make you feel worse.

Out of surgery hours ie 6.30pm to 8.00am, Weekends And Bank Holidays

If you have an emergency or need urgent medical help when the surgery is closed phone 0845 408 0644. Your call may be redirected to a duty doctor or you will be given a number to ring to reach the duty doctor.

PLEASE NOTE OUR ANSWERPHONE IS FOR OUTGOING MESSAGES TO PATIENTS ONLY, IT IS NOT ABLE TO TAKE MESSAGES FOR THE DOCTORS.

Alternatively, you may wish to make use of an NHS Walk-in Centre. The nearest facility can be found at 1a Wych Elm, Harlow. It is open 7.00am - 10.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am - 10.00pm weekends and bank holidays. (Please note that the Walk-in Centre is unable to treat children under two.)

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN A HOME VISIT?

If you are unable to come to the surgery you may request a home visit. Please telephone between 8.30 and 10.30am wherever possible for visits on the day. You will be asked a few details so the doctors can plan their visits. Please remember that much of the equipment and diagnostic facilities in the surgery are not available during home visits. Also the time taken to make one visit is the equivalent to seeing four or more patients in the surgery, so if you could possibly come to the surgery this would be much appreciated.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN PATHOLOGY TESTS AND X-RAY RESULTS?

Please telephone for any results after 2.00pm when the staff will have more time to answer your call. Cervical smear results will be sent to you by post. Please note: results will only be given to the person concerned or, in the case of a minor, either the parent or guardian.