Routine appointments are for 15 minutes or 10 minutes and can be made by phoning the surgery or booking on-line. Please see reception to register for the on-line service. *Please note, due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, all doctors' appointments are on the day only and cannot be booked in advance.*

If you ring for an on-the-day appointment a doctor will speak to you first to see if your problem can be dealt with on the telephone. However, an appointment will be given on that day if the doctor feels it is necessary. To book an on the day appointment please call between 08:30 and 10:30.

Emergencies

If you need to see a doctor urgently, please let the receptionist know. They will arrange for you to speak to/see the doctor as soon as possible.

We appreciate that some matters may be dealt with adequately and more appropriately by telephone. Messages from patients are logged, and the doctor/nurse will try and respond as quickly as possible. They will not be able to speak to you when they are consulting with patients unless it is an emergency. Currently due to Covid-19 all appiontments will be triaged initially via telephone.

Please call before 10:30am and a doctor/nurse will try and return your call by end of the day.

Please note our phone lines are extremely busy between 08:30-10:30 am, if you are trying to book an appointment with the nurse or clinical pharmacist please call after 10:30 or please use online services. 

Online Appointment booking 

You can now book appoitments with our clincial pharmacist and our Nurse by using MyGP app. 

Please download myGp app by clickinlg the link below. 

https://www.mygp.com/user/

Nurse appointments can be booked for:

• Asthma Diagnosis
• Diabetic and hypertension review (not medication alterations)
• Contraception and sexual health
• Cervical screening 
• Travel health advice and vaccination
• Minor illness and injury 
• Wound care
• Immunisation
• Ear care

Clinical Phramacist

Clinical Pharmacists are highly trained professionals who have knowledge of all things relating to medicines. In GP practice pharmacists work closely with the practice teams to answer queries about medicines, and ensure medicines are being used appropriately to keep patients safe. This includes carrying out structured medication reviews for patients with ongoing health problems and improving patient safety, outcomes and value through a person-centred approach.

Please speak to our reception team to book an appointment with one of our clinical pharmacist. 

At the Vale Practice we are committed to teaching, and during your consultation you may see one of our medical students, GP registrars, Foundation year Doctirs or nurses/pharmacists in training.

All of our clinics are supervised and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

We are extremely grateful for your ongoing support with their learning and education.

Video Recording 

From time to time, as part of their exams, our trainee Doctors may need to carry out video recording. Consent to record your consulation will be obtained prior to your consultation. Intimate physical examinations will not be recorded and the camera can be switched off during the consultation. 

All video/digital recordings are carried out according to guidelines issued by the General Medical Council, and will be stored securely in line with the practice guidelines. They will be deleted within one year of the recording taking place. You do not have to agree to your consultation with the doctor being recorded. If you want the camera turned off, please tell Reception - this is not a problem, and will not affect your consultation in any way.

Social Prescribing Link Workers work out of GP Practices and provide a one-to-one personalised support service. They will help you with a wide range of social, emotional and practical needs with a focus on “What Matters to You” helping to improve your mental and physical wellbeing and general health.

Social Prescribing Link Workers can support you with:

• Housing, Finance, and Benefits
• Long Term Conditions
• General and Emotional Wellbeing
• Social Isolation and Integration
• Volunteering, Employment, and Learning

We can offer up to 8 sessions to link you to the right support by:

• Signposting – information and encouragement to access services
• Facilitation – information and support to access services
• Navigation – support to engage and access a service

Please speak to our reception team to book an appointment with our social prescriber.

Some pharmacies run a minor ailment scheme, which means they can supply medicines for certain conditions on the NHS.

If your pharmacy runs a minor ailment scheme they can also supply medicines for this condition and you'll only pay the standard prescription charge.

Your local pharmacist may be able to help with:

skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema

coughs and colds, including nasal congestion and sore throat

minor cuts and bruises

constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)

hay fever and allergies

aches and pains, such as headaches, earache and back pain

indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms

period pain and thrush

warts and verrucas, mouth ulcers and cold sores

athlete's foot

nappy rash and teething

Patients are requested, where possible, to telephone before 11am if a home visit is required that day.

We would request that, apart from the genuinely housebound, all other patients attend the surgery rather than request a home visit because of the extra time home visiting takes. On average four to five patients can be seen in surgery in the time it takes to do a single house call. In addition, the care that can be offered due to the lack of adequate lighting, examination facilities and equipment means that you may not receive as good a service as the doctor may be able to offer if you came to the surgery.

Please note that the doctor may telephone you rather than visit you if this is medically appropriate. Ultimately it is the doctors right to decide whether or not a visit is appropriate for a particular set of circumstances.

It is important that you inform the reception staff if you are unable to attend your appointment, this will allow that appointment to be offered to another patient. If you fail to notify the Practice that you are unable to attend, you will be sent a letter informing you that you have defaulted from your appointment. Persistent defaulters maybe removed from the list.

You can cancel appointments by calling the reception on 02083473330. This can only be used if your appointment has been arranged for more than 24 hours in advance. (excluding weekends and public holidays). You can also text to cancel your appointment.

Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until next available appointment.

If you require an interpreter to attend with you when you see your Doctor please notify the receptionist and she will arrange this for you. If you require

BSL interpreter (British Sign Language) Please book double appointment beofre 5:00 pm.

We have a texting service which allows you to receive confirmation and reminders about your appointments.

To have this service you will need to register by completing a consent form.

Please remember to update your contact details with us when you change address, telephone numbers and email address.

Primary Care Access Hubs

Need to see a GP or nurse in the evening or at the weekend?

Please click here for the video relating to evening and weekend appointments.