Chapel Lane Surgery

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TELEPHONE ADVICE?

If you wish to speak to your doctor personally the receptionist can offer you a telephone consultation. Only very urgent calls will be put through to the doctor during surgery hours. If possible please tell the receptionist what the call is about so she can assess how urgent the situation is.

HOW DO I...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

You can book a face-to-face appointment in advance with a doctor by telephone or by calling into the surgery. We will always try to offer you an appointment on the day you request but it may not always be possible. Patients can also book a telephone consultation in advance if that is preferable. Patients who wish to be seen on the same day will be triaged by a doctor. This means that the receptionist will take your details and a doctor will telephone you back within two hours. During this telephone call the doctor will assess the patient’s needs and, if required, agree a mutually convenient time for you to attend at the surgery.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN A HOME VISIT?

Home visits are reserved for patients who are housebound or are too ill or incapacitated that they cannot come, or be brought, to the surgery. In almost all cases children can be brought to the surgery where we have the best conditions for examination. This is safer for your child, as urgent problems can be referred to hospital quickly. In most cases patients will be expected to come to the surgery.

If you need a home visit please telephone the surgery before 10.00am if possible. This will help the doctors to plan their visits which will normally not be made until after morning surgery with some visits being made in the afternoon. If you think the visit will not wait please advise the receptionist accordingly.

The cost of travel to the surgery cannot be a consideration in requests for home visits so please ensure that you have a system whereby you can access transport by family, friends or taxi in an emergency.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS?

Our preferred method is for patients to highlight the medication they require on the tear-off slip attached to their previous prescription and submit it to the practice. Alternatively, please complete the form provided on the reception desk or send an e-mail to: sef-pct.prescriptions@nhs.net.

If you cannot get to the surgery to collect your prescription, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope and we will post it to you.
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the telephone unless you are a pensioner or housebound.

PLEASE ALLOW US TWO WORKING DAYS TO PROCESS REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TEST RESULTS?

If you are seeing a doctor following a hospital attendance for the result of your blood test/x-ray, please telephone first to ensure your doctor has the relevant information. Please ring after 2.30pm when the telephone is less busy and the receptionist has time to find out if the result is available.

HOW DO I...
REGISTER WITH THE PRACTICE?

All persons who wish to join our practice list must complete the appropriate application form. Please check with the reception staff to ensure that you live within our catchment area.

Upon completion, the form (one for each family member) should be returned to reception. The applicant will only be contacted if they cannot be accepted onto the practice list.

Newly registered patients will be asked to complete a questionnaire and will be offered a new patient health check within one month of registering. Medical treatment is available from the date of registration. New babies must be registered with the practice as soon after leaving hospital as possible. Patients are not formally registered until the new patient health check has been undertaken.