APPOINTMENTS
Appointments may be booked four weeks in advance to see a doctor or nurse by telephoning 01749 601333 or calling at the Surgery between 8:30am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday. Although we answer several lines on our main telephone system they are very busy first thing in the morning. If you can leave non-urgent calls until later in the morning we will be able to deal with them more quickly.
Monday is our busiest day. If your requirement is routine and non-urgent try telephoning on another day. It will allow us to respond to your needs more quickly.
Urgent appointments
Urgent appointments can be made for the same day but may not be with the doctor of your choice and may mean you waiting until a doctor is available.
If you feel the matter cannot wait until the next available routine appointment with your own doctor, please give the receptionist brief details of the problem and they will tell you when to come to the surgery.
Telephone consultations
The practice encourages patients to phone for advice when a face-to-face appointment is not necessary. If you wish to speak to a doctor please telephone reception before 10:30am and book a telephone consultation. The doctor will return your call after the end of morning surgery or before afternoon surgery.
Home visits
Home visits are for patients who are too ill or infirm to come to the Surgery. If you need the doctor to visit you at home please telephone the Surgery on 01749 601333 before 10:30am if possible and give the receptionist as much information as you can to help the doctor assess the urgency of the visit.
Out of hours
After 6:30pm and before 8:00am, Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays:
Emergency out of hours and night cover is provided by Dorset and Somerset Unscheduled Care Service.
If you need to be seen by a doctor you may be asked to go to the Primary Care Centre at Shepton Mallet Community Hospital.
If you are too unwell to attend, you may be visited at home
If you need urgent medical assistance please phone: 111
Infrequent attendees
Patients aged 16 to 74 who have not attended the surgery in the previous three years may request an appointment for a health check-up.
Patients over 75 may request such a check-up if they have not attended the surgery in the previous 12 months.
This may be carried out at home if the patient's condition makes them housebound.
How to book
There are a certain number of pre-bookable appointments available for each doctor. Book your appointment online.
Every doctor has a certain number of appointments each day that are available for booking in advance.
We will always try to book you an appointment with your own doctor, but this may not be possible on that day, in which case we will offer you an appointment with another doctor.
Our appointments are all for 10 minutes. If you have multiple or complex problems you may need a further appointment.
Telephone consultations
As an alternative to an appointment you may be offered a telephone consultation. If you have a problem that could be dealt with over the phone (e.g., for advice, medication, follow-up, repeat sick note) please tell the receptionist, who will take your details and ask the doctor to phone you back (usually at the end of the morning surgery). Telephone consultations can be booked via Reception.
Doctors on leave
You are welcome to book an appointment with any other doctor in your own doctor's absence.
Practice Nurse appointments
Practice Nurse appointments should always be booked in advance as these clinics get very busy.
Private Medical Examinations.
Private Medical examinations should be booked in advance. Please tell the receptionist if you need to book either of these, as we follow separate guidelines for these types of appointments.
Any questions
If you are unsure about any of the above information please ask a receptionist for clarification.
If you need medical assistance after 6.30pm, at weekends or bank Holidays, you should telephone the Out of Hours service on 111.
