Appointments

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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Appletree Medical Practice, 47a Town Street, Duffield    Tel: 0844 477 3476