Lilliput Surgery

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TELEPHONE ADVICE?

The doctor may not be able to speak to you during surgery unless your enquiry is urgent. The doctor will usually be able to speak to you after morning surgery by arrangement with the receptionist.

HOW DO I...
SEE MY DOCTOR?

We run an appointment system. The majority of our doctors' and nurses' appointments are pre-booked - up to six weeks in advance - and are used for assessing new non-urgent conditions, reviewing ongoing problems and for routine check-ups. There are also appointments available daily for patients who need urgent or 'on the day' assessment, or need to be seen at a time where pre-booked slots are unavailable. For this reason, we offer the Patients' Appointment Helpline (see below). Appointments can be made in person or by telephoning between 8.30am - 1.00pm and 2.00 - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. We offer appointments from 8.00am but individual doctors’ times will vary according to other commitments.

We also run a triage system - this is a method of prioritising demand for same-day appointments with a view to giving prompt and appropriate healthcare. If you telephone for an appointment for the same day, one of our reception staff will ask you for your telephone number and may also ask for a few details regarding your medical problem. This is so that urgent problems can be assessed and prioritised by the doctor or nurse on duty. However, we would not ask you to divulge any medical symptoms which you would rather only discuss with the clinician. A healthcare professional will contact you and advise appropriate treatment, or make an appointment for you to be seen, if necessary.

Patients' Appointment Helpline

The surgery uses this system to assess patients' needs on the telephone and decide on the most appropriate course of action. This may be a prescription generated without an appointment, an 'on the day' appointment or an appointment at a suitable time later in the week. Patients may also be assessed and it is found that they are able to await the next routine appointment offered to them.

We use this system so that we are able to see all patients who need an urgent or early appointment as necessary. But please understand that, because of this, some patients may be asked to wait for a routine appointment.

The partners do understand that a lack of instant access to appointments may be frustrating at time for patients; however, we feel that our system ensures patient safety at all times and affords precedence to emergencies and urgent cases.

Drs S Thomas • A Rutland • T Smith • K Bayley • J Snell
Appointments are available between 8.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00 - 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Practice Nurse
Appointments are available between 8.30am - 12 noon and 2.00 - 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and between 2.00 - 4.00pm Friday.
Phlebotomy
Appointments are available between 8.30am -12.30pm Monday and Friday and between 2.00 - 4.20pm Tuesday and Wednesday.

All surgery times are subject to change at short notice.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN A HOME VISIT?

Please remember that home visiting is very time consuming for the doctor and we would be grateful if you could come to the surgery whenever possible. If a visit is necessary, it would greatly assist the doctor if you would request this before 9.30am. The doctors hope to complete their rounds by early afternoon but are sometimes delayed by emergencies. Please inform the receptionist if you feel the visit is more urgent.

HOW DO I...
GET THE RESULTS OF ANY TESTS I MAY HAVE HAD?

1. Results will only be given to the specific patient to whom they apply. In the interest of confidentiality please be prepared to identify yourself. Please do not telephone for results for friends or relatives without prior arrangement (written consent may be required).

2. Please telephone between 9.30am - 6.00pm for your results. Do not telephone before the requested time as priority must be given for urgent visits and appointment requests.

3. You will need to know the specific test results that you require. Some tests take longer than others to process. If you have had several tests then the receptionist will not necessarily know whether all the results are back unless you can identify them.

4. Please do not expect the reception staff to have any medical knowledge. They are instructed only to tell you the doctor’s comment on your result. If any test is abnormal or you require further discussion or interpretation then please refer to your doctor.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN A REPEAT PRESCRIPTION?

Please allow a minimum of two working days' notice.

If your doctor agrees, you may obtain repeat prescriptions without seeing your doctor by placing your repeat prescription request form in the box provided in the entrance foyer - please ensure you have ticked your requirements.

If you are unable to come to the surgery then please send your request by post, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.

Unfortunately, requests for prescriptions cannot be taken over the telephone due to the risk of errors occurring and in addition this may block the phone for urgent calls. If you receive regular repeat prescriptions your doctor will ask you to make an appointment from time to time to monitor your medication.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN A SICKNESS CERTIFICATE?

A sickness certificate completed and signed by the doctor is only required when a period of continuous absence from work due to illness is of eight days' duration or longer. For absence up to three working days no certificate is required. Between three and seven days' absence due to illness is covered by a self certification form (SC2) obtained from your employer. All employers should be aware of these regulations and a fee may be charged for any certificates outside the statutory DSS arrangements.

HOW DO I...
CHANGE MY DETAILS?

If you change your name, address or telephone number, please give details to the receptionist. If you move outside the practice area you will be asked to find another doctor.

HOW DO I...
REGISTER WITH THE PRACTICE?

Please bring in your medical card which the receptionist can help you to complete. If you do not possess a medical card please ask at reception for an application form. Temporary residents are registered on a special form provided at reception.

After registration you may make an appointment to see any doctor (regardless of with whom you are registered).

New patients are requested to complete a simple personal health questionnaire and to make an appointment with the health care assistant for a basic health screen check. This primarily consists of a blood pressure and urine check. Your height and weight will be measured and details of your previous medical history will be recorded onto your medical records. Please bring a urine sample with you in a clean container.