How to see your Doctor
The surgery runs an appointment system both morning and afternoon.
Please ring 0161 621 4800 to book an appointment or use the online appointment booking system.
There are surgeries morning and afternoon 5 days per week. Morning surgeries run for a two and half hour period with additional time at the end of surgery for emergencies. These are appointment only surgeries.
Please note: We do ask that you do not just turn up at surgery at 8.00 am without an appointment, please telephone the receptionist and you will get a call back from a clincian.
Afternoon surgery is again by appointment and runs for a two and a half hour period and these run five afternoons per week.
If you are unable to attend your appointment please inform the surgery as the appointment can then be allocated to another patient thank you.
How to speak to your Doctor/Practice nurse
If you require speaking to the GP or Practice Nurse during surgery hours then call the receptionist who will ask the patient to give a few details, because on many occasions the reception staff can answer the query. If not, the required clinician will call you back at a convenient time.
Home Visits
If possible please try to telephone reception before 10:00 am if you require a home visit.
You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.
You can be visited at home by a Community Nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a Health Visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.
The doctors will often telephone patients before a visit.
Sickness Certificates
You do not require a doctor’s sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may, however, require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website. When requesting a sick note please tell the receptionist the dates you need on the note,what the illness is and please allow 48 hours before collection. A sick note cannot be post dated.
Evidence that you are sick
If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).
It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.
You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.
Statement of Fitness for Work – ‘Fit Note’
The ‘fit note’ was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer’s support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.
For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced).
