APPOINTMENT
SYSTEM
At
Appletree Medical Practice, we try our very best to accommodate
the different needs of our patients. We are continually reviewing
the systems we have in place and, in particular, take note of what
our patients tell us in the patient surveys.
As
a direct result of the most recent patient survey, we have made
some changes to our appointment system. To this effect, we breakdown
the appointment slots as follows:
Approximately
50% of appointments are released up to 6 weeks in advance
Approximately
25% of appointments are released up to 48 hours in advance
Approximately
25% of appointments are released on the day
This
helps the practice to manage the workload and gives us the flexibility
to offer the patients a choice of appointment slots. If we did not
hold back a certain amount of appointments, they would all be fully
booked making it difficult for the doctors to see patients in need
of urgent or semi urgent medical attention.
BOOKING
AN APPOINTMENT
Our
aim is for your problem(s) to be dealt with by the most appropriate
clinician in a timely manner and to avoid unnecessary trips to the
surgery.
If
you feel your problem is urgent and you need to be seen today, you
will be offered an appointment accordingly. If all available appointments
on that day have been booked, the receptionist will offer to add
your name to the triage doctor's list and s/he will call you back
as soon as possible to discuss your problem. S/he will then decide
whether you need to be seen urgently, whether you need a home visit,
an appointment with an alternative health professional (e.g. nurse)
or whether advice over the telephone will suffice.
If
you wish to book a routine appointment, you will be offered an appointment
up to 6 weeks in advance.
If
you feel you just need some advice, the receptionist will offer
to add your name to the triage doctor's list and s/he will call
you back as soon as possible to discuss your problem.
This
system is in place to ensure that you will be seen by an appropriate
clinician within 24 hours. Unfortunately, this means that you may
not always be able to see the GP of your choice
We
realise that whatever system we have in place, we cannot please
all of our patients all of the time. However, we are constantly
reviewing the systems we have in place and welcome any constructive
comments from our patients.
HOME
VISITS
Home
visits are provided for the housebound and those too ill to come
to surgery. Unfortunately lack of transport itself is not a reason
for a home visit. You should be aware that the quality of care we
are able to provide in the home may be less than can be offered
at the well equipped medical centre. If you feel a home visit is
appropriate please telephone the surgery before 11a.m. and be ready
to give our receptionist an indication of the nature and urgency
of the problem. The doctor will usually wish to speak to you before
arranging to visit.
AUTOMATED
BOOKING SYSTEM
Please
note that unfortunately, due to problems we have experienced with
the automated booking system, the doctors have made the decision
to remove this facility. We apologise for any inconvenience this
may cause.
Frequently
asked questions
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