Appointments

Doctors Appointments
All consultations are by appointment, generally at 10 minute intervals. If you think that you may require longer, please tell the reception staff when you book your appointment.

Morning appointments with a doctor are bookable in advance from 16:00 the previous day. All other appointments are available from 08:00am on the same day basis. Urgent appointments can always be made the same day, but not necessarily with the doctor of your choice.

Should you need to make a doctor's appointment in advance, please let the receptionist know. Staff will endeavor to meet patients' needs, but need to balance factors such as appointment availability and doctor working patterns. You do not always have to see the same doctor, although most patients prefer to do so.

When contacting the surgery to make an appointment the member of staff dealing with your request may ask you to give some background information regarding the reason for your appointment. The Doctors here at the surgery would find it helpful if you could co-operate with the staff so that your request can be dealt with in the best way possible and also that you get to see the  most appropriate person within the surgery. You can be reassured that all members of staff will treat all information given to them with the utmost discretion and confidentiality at all times.

Extended Access
Appointments are available on a Monday evening and one Saturday morning per month. 

On-Line Booking System
We have introduced some appointments for patients to book “on-line”. In order to access this facility, patients will need to register (in the first instance), via this website.

Once registered, patients will be able to book a number of appointments Monday to Friday, including the lunchtime and evening appointments on Thursdays, together with the Saturday morning appointments.

Nurses Appointments
Appointments can be made up to 8 weeks in advance to see any of our nurses.  When making appointments for blood tests these need to be a morning appointment, usually before 12:00pm.

CANCELLATIONS
If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else. 

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception BEFORE 10:00AM.

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. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details when requesting a visit to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.

Sickness Certificates

Self-Certification
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.

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)

 Antibiotics

STOP! Are they really needed?

You will only be prescribed short courses at appropriate doses.

If you are suffering from on of the following:

• Sore throat
• Cold or Flu
• Dry or chesty cough
• Earache
• Catarhh

You will not be prescribed an antibiotic for these treatments.

Prescribing antibiotics inapropriately will only cause problems in the future. Taking antibiotics for the wrong reasons such as against cold or flu has no benefit for you. It can even cause resistance to some antibiotics you take in the future.

If you are suffering from any the above illnesses you should:

• Drink plenty of fluid
• Get some rest

Ask your local pharmacist for advice and guidance regarding over the counter remedies 

Should you feel your symptoms are not improving  and you require futher advice or guidance please contact the surgery. 

Futher information can be found here. 

Community Pharmacy Minor Ailment Scheme

Pharmacists in Barrow & Millom can now give free advce & treatment on a range of minor health problems

How Does The Scheme Work?
All you need to do is register once with this scheme with participating community pharmacy

What Will the Pharmacist ask?
The pharmacist will ask you about your symptoms in order to give you the right advice.  You will be asked about other medication you might be taking.

The pharmacist will also tell you the best way to take your medicine & other ways to manage your ailments.

The minor ailments scheme covers a range of short term treatment (see list below).  The pharmacist may need to send you back to your GP if more treatment is necessary or if they feel you have a condition that is not covered by the scheme.

If appropriate, the pharmacist will supply you with medicine to treat your symptoms.

What treatments does the scheme cover?

Digestive Disorders
indigestion, heartburn, constipation, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids

Mouth Problems
Oral fungal infection, mouth ulcer/inflammation, teething, oral thrush

Eyes
Hayfever (eye Symptoms), Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Dry Eyes

Infections
Vaginal thrush, fungal skin infection, cold sores, warts & verrucas, threadworm, head lice, scabies, crab lice, cystitis/urinary infections, athletes foot

Skin Allergy / Itch
Hayfever, acne, eczema, nappy rash, scalp disorders, bite & stings, ear wax

Nasal / Cough Congestion
Hayfever, earache, coughs, flu, sore throat

Children
Pain, fever, earache, coughs, colds & snuffles

In Pregnancy
Heartburn, constipation, haemorrhoids, coughs & colds, headache & backache, hayfever, head lice

Counselling is available where over the counter treatments are not available

FAQs

Is the service Confidential?
Everything you say to the pharmacist is confidential

Will i need an appointment to see the pharmacist?
One of the great things about this scheme is that you do not need an appointment to see the pharmacist.  You can just pop in when you need to.