2.0RSSBBC News | Health | UK EditionUpdated every minute of every day.'A little too much drink' warningDrinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning.Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:39:22 GMThttp://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-16869618Health bodies reject NHS reformsPhysiotherapist leaders have joined the Royal College of GPs in calling for the health bill in England to be scrapped, increasing pressure on the government.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:23:39 GMThttp://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-16861672Malaria toll 'is twice as high'The number of deaths worldwide from malaria has been underestimated, according to data published in the medical journal the Lancet.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:07:13 GMThttp://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-16854026
HOW
DO I... OBTAIN
TELEPHONE ADVICE?
If you wish to speak to a doctor, please
telephone and the receptionist will take some details and ask you to call again
later to receive an answer. Calls will not be put through to the doctor during
surgery.
Please note: the telephone is at its busiest first thing in the morning, so if
you are telephoning for anything other than a home visit or an emergency appointment,
we would ask that you call after 11.30am.
HOW
DO I... MAKE
AN APPOINTMENT?
Patients can book appointments up to four weeks ahead. There is also a facility for booking these on-line; please ask at reception. We offer a number of appointments
on the day but these will be restricted to five minutes only and are for urgent
conditions only. If your attendance is deemed inappropriate you will be asked
to book a routine appointment. To avoid this we would ask you not to abuse the
system.
Why
Do Doctors And Nurses Keep You Waiting?
One appointment with the doctor or nurse lasts 10 minutes. This includes the time
that it takes you to gather your coat and bag and walk to the consulting room!
It is just enough time to deal with one problem but if you need to be examined
and find it difficult to undress or get on the couch it may well take longer. You
can appreciate that if you arrive late, even by a couple of minutes, this time
adds up. If several people do this during a single surgery the doctor ends up
later and later.
Sometimes patients save up problems for one appointment. If you want the doctor
to be able to help, be prepared to make a double appointment or come back another
time.
Finally, some patients have very complex problems that cannot be dealt with in
10 minutes. We always try and give the necessary time to this where possible. Obviously
if you happen to have the slot after that patient the doctor will be aware of
the effect that may be having on you.
All in all we try to offer what patients want within the system. Help us to help
you by always lettings us know if you are going to be late or miss the appointment.
Be prepared to reschedule if asked. Thanks to all of you who are supportive
and understanding with the reception staff who do a great job in difficult circumstances.
HOW
DO I... OBTAIN
A HOME VISIT?
It is not customary for doctors
to provide routine home visits. Patients too ill or infirm to come to surgery
can be visited at the doctor's discretion. We would very much appreciate
your request before 10.30am and for you to give the receptionist as much information
as possible to help the doctor assess the urgency. You may be telephoned by the
doctor to discuss your request. The doctor can see on average six patients in
the surgery in the time taken for a home visit.
HOW
DO I... OBTAIN
TEST RESULTS?
Obtaining blood test and x-ray results does not require a doctor's appointment unless otherwise instructed by the doctor. If there is a
result that is significant or requires further action, the doctor will write to you. We have a results line on
020 8532 0324 which is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8.30am - 1.30pm; outside of these times
please phone the surgery main number after 10.30am.
