APPOINTMENTS
The quickest and easiest way to book an appointment or get help or advice, for an administrative or clinical reason, is to complete an online consultation.
This allows you to explain why you want an appointment. The practice is then able to decide how to best help you and give you most suitable avaliable appointment.
If you complete an medical online consultation request before 3pm, we aim to get back to you on the same day. If you do need an appointment we will either send you a link to book the appointment or contact you to arrange this.
If you are unable to compete this online consultation then please continue to call the practice and speak with one of our patient service advisors.
Urgent Appointments
If your problem is urgent but not an emergency we would still recommend that you start by filling out an online form. If you have an emergency you will need to contact 999.
Advanced Nurse Practitioners
In some cases if you need a same day appointment you may be seen by one of our Nurse Practitioners. Our Nurse Practitioners are qualified prescribers and can deal with many problems and prescribe the necessary medication. However, if they feel you need to see a doctor they can book you into any of the emergency appointments that are available later that day.
Routine Appointments
All consultations are made by appointment. The surgery is open each day Mon - Fri 08.00 to 18.30 with some earlier and later times on a variety of days. We do offer a variety of appointments bookable in advance, but you may need to plan your routine appointments further in advance to secure your usual doctor. Please try to prioritise which of your problems you want the doctor to deal with during the consultation as each appointment is scheduled for 10 minutes. It may be that your doctor will ask you to make another appointment if you have several problems to ensure there is adequate time.
Telephone Consultations
If you would like to discuss a problem with your doctor but do not necessarily need to be seen in surgery, you can book a telephone consultation with your GP. At the request of the GPs, the receptionist will ask for brief details of your problem and will schedule the appointment, but we cannot guarantee a specific time for the call. You may like to give a mobile or alternative telephone number for the doctor to be able to contact you more easily.
Home Visits
Home visits are for patients who are too ill to come to the surgery. Wherever possible patients are expected to attend surgery. Please ring the surgery where possible call before 10:30 am if you require a home visit.
A doctor will telephone you prior to visiting.
Please remember to tell the receptionist if the problem is urgent. If your house is awkward to find, please let us have detailed directions. In an emergency, or if in doubt, the duty doctor may be able to give telephone advice.
Nursing Appointments
In a number of cases you may be booked in with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly. Our practice nurses carry out various procedures including cervical smears, wound dressings and ear syringing. In addition we also employ health care assistants who are responsible for routine blood tests, ECGs, some injections and some dressings.
Chaperone
If you would like a chaperone during your consultation, please ask when you arrive at surgery and this will be arranged.
Appointment Confirmations & Reminders
If you have a mobile number on your record you will receive a message to confirm and remind you about your booked appointments. You will receive a confirmation message 7 days before your appointment, and a reminder message 1 day before your appointment.
HGV/PSV Medical Examination Appointment Bookings
We offer these appointments here at the surgery but they non-NHS appointments for which there is a charge (see charges and other non NHS services we offer). When you contact the surgery please let the receptionist know you are booking this type of appointment. The appointment duration is 30 mins (10mins with a Nurse and 20mins with a GP). You will need to bring a urine sample with you to the appointment. The relevant form should be completed prior to the appointment. NB page 2 of the HGV medical form should be completed by an optometrist prior to the appointment with the Nurse/GP. The fee for the medical must be paid on arrival at the surgery for the appointment. Only cheques or cash are accepted. The arrangements will be confirmed to you by letter after booking.
Appointments outside normal surgery hours
We do offer some appointments up to 8:00pm on some evenings, which are outside of normal surgery hours of 8:00am to 6:30pm. We are also open some Saturdays and Sundays. These are primarily aimed at patients who are unable to make an appointment between these normal working hours. If you would like one of these early or late appointments please contact the surgery on our normal telephone number. Please be aware you will not necessarily be able to see your own GP as there are a limited number of these appointments available.
Transport Support for Appointments
T.R.I.P. Community Transport Association
The Devon PCT has contracted with TRIP to take bookings for the local patient transport service. The service is only available to patients who satisfy eligibility criteria and are too frail or disabled to use other public transport including taxi services to attend appointments at Wonford or other hospitals in the area. A fee is usually payable to the driver. This is subsidised by the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and is also available for wheelchair bound patients.
There is also a voluntary car service organised locally. For a small fee, based on mileage, anyone having difficultly with transport to any medical appointment at the surgery, local hospital or dentist can obtain transport. Please contract the TRIP coordinator for further information.
