Appointments at Calsayseat Medical Group
Our appointment system is designed to offer the right mix of appointments for our patients. We realise the importance of seeing the same doctor, but have to balance this with the need to provide “on the day” appointments for problems patients feel can’t wait. Unfortunately, we find that the more appointments we offer in advance, the more patients do not turn up – 149 appointments were wasted in the month of May 2011 alone which is over 24 hours of consulting time.
Appointments are split into those which can be booked up to 6 weeks in advance and those which we keep for on the day. So, if you see a Doctor and they ask to review you, you should be able to book for this appointment before you leave the building. If, however, you feel you need seen on the day, you may not be able to see your usual GP. Each appointment is for 10 minutes.
Some problems can be dealt with over the phone and all GPs offer 5 minute phone appointments which can be booked in advance. This is often useful to review existing problems by the GP who knows you well.
Our Nurse Practitioner is also able to deal with many problems and prescribe. If the receptionist feels your problem is suitable, you will be offered an appointment with her. She works closely with all the GPs and can contact them at any time should she need to.
If you cannot get a suitable appointment when you phone to book, the duty doctor can call you back to discuss your problem, this is a process known as TRIAGE. It may be that they can offer an assessment or advice over the phone which may help you.
What will happen when requesting an appointment?
The doctors have trained the receptionists to ask patients questions when there is a request for an appointment.
These questions are to find the best type and time of appointment for you.
You should have no fear of lack of confidentiality, or that the receptionists are trying to be doctors.
The receptionists will ask.
Is this a problem a doctor has already been dealing with?
Do you think this is something the doctor can deal with over the phone?
Will the doctor need to examine you?
Can you tell me the nature of your problem?
Telephone Consultations
Provides a service that can resolve concerns quickly.
The doctor or the nurse practitioner will phone you back at an agreed contact number at an arranged time.
Landlines are preferable to mobiles
This is suitable for common self-limiting illnesses, queries about prescriptions, or if you require advice or reassurance about an ongoing complaint. However, if you have a complaint that requires a physical examination then of course it is best that we see you face-to-face.
Please ensure you are available, To protect your confidentiality, a message will not be left on an answering machine.