This practice offers a flexible appointment system in order to accommodate patients who need a longer consultation, those requiring urgent, medical care and those requiring external visits. The system is design to allow sufficient time for Doctors to do house calls and take and return calls.

The time allowed for each consultation is 15/20 minutes depending on the Doctor.

All new patients are given a copy of current 'Your Doctor' and the practice information pointed out to them.

Patients are advised via the Practice Information Pamphlet - YOUR DOCTOR and the web site that if a longer consultation time is needed then this should be stated at the time of making the appointment. Staff are to ascertain, bearing in mind patient confidentiality, at the time of booking if a longer appointment may be required.

To ensure that appointments are available for urgent problems 'e' dummy appointments are booked in the scheduler and left until the actual day.

THESE CAN ONLY BE BOOKED BEFORE THE ACTUAL DAY BY DOCTOR OR PRACTICE NURSE.

Appointments for dressings, ECG’s, Spirometry, Diabetes etc are to be booked with the Nurse with the reason for the appointment written in the notes. All patients are to be booked with the appropriate Doctor as well.

In the case of an emergency arising during consultation hours this practice policy is to fit the patient in as soon as possible after liaising with doctors.

In the event of a doctor having an emergency during consulting hours any patients who are waiting are to be advised of a delay. They may wish to see another doctor in the practice, or have their appointment rescheduled.

At least one member of staff (besides the doctor) will be present at all times during surgery hours.

Prepared: April 1999

Reviewed: March 09, 2009