Appointments

Further to patient feedback and an internal review, we will be implementing some changes to our appointment system.

Our priority is to ensure that patients with urgent problems are managed safely and quickly; and that patients with routine problems are dealt with in the most efficient and helpful way.  Standard appointments can now be booked 2 weeks in advance and we will hold a number of appointments "on the day" for urgent issues. 

Please note:

Each GP appointment slot is 10 minutes. Managing only one problem in a 10 minute consultation ensures patient safety. If you have more than one issue you’d like to discuss please advise the doctor, who will help prioritise the other issues. You may be asked to return for another appointment to address less urgent issues.

If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, then you have missed your appointment and will need to rebook.

Nurse Appointments

Nurse appointments can be made in advance and appointments can booked at any time, please avoid calling early in the mornings as the phone lines will be extremely busy with patients booking GP appointments. 

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Patients who fail to attend three appointments in a 12 month period may be removed from the practice list.

Please note, online appointments cannot be made due to the current situation.

Communication Support

You have the right to an interpreter if you need one. Please ask the receptionist to organise this. For a face to face consultation you will need to give at least one week's notice. 

Sign language interpreters (BSL & ISL) can be provided for patients with hearing loss. 

Appointments can be made by emailing reception.z00615@gp.hscni.net or download the (Video Relay System) ‘VRS’ app which allows patients to access interpreters (BSL& ISL)

https://signvideo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/What-do-I-need.mp4  http://www.signvideo.co.uk/download   

https://vimeo.com/714399513

Patients can also sign up to patient access to order repeat medication. 

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00, be prepared to give staff some idea of your symptoms to help us plan our visits. 

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Sickness Certificates

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)