This information advises you how best to see the doctor that you want and whether you should see a doctor or a nurse.

Sometimes you may feel this doesn't matter, but for longstanding problems or those that are new and under investigation it may be best to see the same one or 2 doctors if possible.

Planning Appointments - Should allow you to choose the doctor you want to see. If you ask to see a doctor urgently it can be more difficult to see a particular doctor as these appointments are given with the first available doctor. Many doctors are not in every day. If the problem can wait a few days you have more chance of choosing your doctor.

The Phone - Some problems can be dealt with (or a plan of action started) exclusively by telephone consultation. Doctors are available to speak to at several points during the day. Phone reception and you will be advised to phone back at a particular time when the doctor will be available.

The practice nurses can care for and follow up most long term conditions, and can involve the doctor in any treatment decisions.

Please, only see the doctor for things that need the doctor. Other health care professionals in the practice can see you for a variety of problems or procedures. This helps make doctors more available to see patients for illness.

The Practice Nurses will see you for:

Contraception checks, Smoking cessation, Travel vaccinations. Routine checks for Asthma/COPD, Heart, Stroke, Diabetes. As well as the normal wounds, dressings, stitches, cervical smears, coil checks, ear syringing, sexual health swabs, new patient checks, ECGs.

Let the receptionist know and they can make your appointment with the correct person.

When you make a nurse appointment you will be asked what the appointment is for. This is just to ensure that you will see a nurse who can provide the service you need.

The Health Care Assistants will see you for:

All blood tests, Blood pressure checks, ECG, Urine tests, New patient medicals.

Cancelling Appointments - If you are unable to attend is essential. If you cancel an appointment that you cannot attend then we can use that appointment for someone else.

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