TELEPHONE TRIAGE

A telephone triage system has been introduced, whereby patients will be asked details by the receptionists in order to help assess the most appropriate appointment for the patient. This may need further assessment by a doctor/nurse and the appointment offered may be in person or by telephone.

HOW DO I...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

The surgery uses an appointment system and to make an appointment either call at reception or telephone during surgery opening hours, 020 8648 0822/0354. You will normally see your own doctor but, if they are unavailable, you will be seen by one of the other doctors. As Monday morning is the busiest time of the week, please avoid telephoning then for non-urgent appointments. If more than one member of the family is to be seen, make sure that separate appointments are made.

FAILURE TO ATTEND

There has been an increase in the number of patients who, without warning, do not attend their appointments. This is not acceptable as it denies other patients rapid access to a doctor. For this reason the practice has decided that, on the second occasion that a patient fails to attend their appointment without warning, they will receive a letter informing them that they will no longer be accepted at the practice.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN HOME VISITS ?

All doctors in the practice make home visits. Arrangements for visiting are made each day according to the availability of doctors and pressure of work in the surgery. Home visits late in the day and at night are made by the doctor who is on duty. Home visits generally involve a lot more of the doctor’s time than a surgery consultation; we would, therefore, ask you to request a home visit only when it is impossible for you to attend the surgery. We are always willing to make arrangements for patients to be seen without waiting if their clinical condition justifies it. REQUESTS FOR HOME VISITS SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE 10.30AM where possible. Always state the patient’s full name and address and give brief details of the illness. It is safe for children who have a raised temperature to be brought to the surgery.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TEST RESULTS ?

We regularly receive the results of blood tests, x-rays and correspondence from local hospitals. They are checked by your doctor who will contact you if there are any important findings. There is no need to contact the surgery for results of investigations unless instructed by your doctor.

Blood tests can be taken at the surgery on a Tuesday morning between 8.30 and 10.30am. No appointment necessary.