How Do I...
Obtain Telephone Advice? |
Make An Appointment? |
Obtain A Home Visit? |
Obtain Test Results?
Obtain a Minor Ailment Prescription? | Contact My Doctor Under “Intelligent Access”? | Consent To Disclosure Of Medical Information |
Register With The Practice?Change My Details? |
Obtain NHS Certificates Of Unfitness To Work? | Obtain Advice About Vaccinations For Foreign Travel? | Obtain Direct Access to Physiotherapy Services | Obtain advice for older people, carers, relatives and adults with care needs
How Do I...
Make An Appointment / Obtain Telephone Advice / Request a home visit?
We offer an innovative system for consulting with a doctor, which is called Intelligent Access.
Instead of the patient deciding whether to make an appointment, book a telephone consultation, ask for some advice or request a home visit from the doctor, all initial contact with the doctor will be via a telephone consultation. This will enable the doctor to assess the problem and decide, with the patient, the best course of action to be taken. This may include any of the following: -
• The initial telephone consultation may be sufficient and no further action is needed.
• The doctor may arrange some tests before seeing the patient, eg a blood test with the health care assistant
• The doctor may just need to sign some forms, which can be left at the surgery without an appointment
• The doctor may need to see the patient in person and can book sufficient time for the consultation
• The doctor may arrange to make a home visit, or request one of his/her colleagues to visit.
As the doctors offer telephone consultations both mornings and afternoons and arrange to see patients (where necessary) both mornings and afternoons, there is no need to ring at 8.30am to ensure you can book an appointment. Similarly, patients do not need to queue outside the door first thing to ensure they are seen.
If the doctor decides they need to see you at the surgery, or arrange some tests, etc, they will book the necessary appointments whilst you are on the telephone - you will NOT need to contact the practice again to arrange tests.
Please note that we do not routinely visit patients after discharge from hospital. If you have a problem and need a GP, then please contact the surgery to arrange a telephone consultation.
How Do I....
Contact My Doctor Under “Intelligent Access”?
To arrange a telephone consultation, please phone (01278) 795445 and we can book you a time. You can book telephone consultations in advance.
Can I book a GP appointment in advance?
With 'Intelligent Access' you can arrange with the GP a mutually convenient time for your appointment, which may be booked ahead if necessary. Telephone consultations with the doctor may be booked up to one week in advance. Please ask the receptionist if you would like to do this.
Face to face consultations with the GP may also be booked more than 2 days in advance if you wish to do so. Please discuss with the GP at the time of making your appointment if you would like to book ahead.
Appointments for the nurses and health care assistants can generally still be booked up to approximately four weeks in advance.
How Do I....
Obtain Test Results?
If you have had blood tests or x-rays organised by the practice the doctor will contact you by letter or telephone if any action needs to be taken. If you do not hear from us, then you can assume that no action is necessary. If you wish to check your results you can contact the receptionist who will be able to check our computer (between the hours of 1.30 and 4.30pm only.) Test results on average usually take a week to come back.
If you would like someone to contact the surgery on your behalf to obtain your results, then please advise the doctor or nurse who is taking the test to record their name on the computer. If you would like to give ongoing permission for this person to act on your behalf, please see the section on patient confidentiality.
Specimens are sent to the laboratory every weekday at 3.00pm. If you are asked to hand in a specimen, please ensure that we receive it by 1.45pm (weekdays only). Similarly, if you need a blood test please make an appointment in the blood test clinics only.
How Do I....
Register With The Practice?
Click here to download our 'Application to Register' Questionnaire
Click here to download our 'Under 5's Application to Register' Form
Anyone living within our practice boundary is welcome to apply to register with us.
Prospective patients are asked to bring their medical card or details of their NHS number to the surgery. This number should be obtained from your previous GP if you have lost your medical card. The records clerk will be able to advise you which doctors are accepting new patients. You will also be asked to complete our own 'Application to Register' questionnaire this can be downloaded from above. You are required to complete this questionnaire which we need to accompany your medical card when you come into the surgery to register. Alternatively, we can give you a form to complete when you arrive at the Medical Centre. It may be necessary to provide proof of idenity or residency when registering at the surgery, but you will be informed of the necessary requirements by our registrations clerk.
Patient Preference Of Practitioner
Whilst we will endeavour to meet your requests that a particular
doctor should be your usual doctor, this may not always be possible. We try to
keep the number of patients for each doctor fairly equal and there may be times
when the doctor you wish to have as your
"usual doctor" has too many patients already. If this is
the case, we will notify you of the doctors who are able to accept new patients
onto their usual patient list and you may choose from these. We will record your
initial preference in writing on your computerised records, though in the meantime you may see any GP or other health care professional within the Practice,
as long as they have free appointments and provide the service you require for
your particular condition.
If you have any concerns or queries about this, please ask to speak to one of
the records clerks.
How Do I....
Change My Details?
Click here to download
our 'Change of Address' form
Click here to download
our 'Change of Name' form
It is essential to your health care that your NHS records are
accurately maintained. Please inform the surgery if you change your name, status,
address or telephone number. If you wish, you can do this by selecting the appropriate download (see above). You are asked
to complete a form to ensure that your records contain accurate and up-to-date
information. With any change of name you may be asked to provide documentation
for confirmation of the details.
How Do I....
Obtain NHS Certificates Of Unfitness To Work?
Your employer cannot ask for a doctor’s certificate for
the first seven days of a spell of sickness (including weekends). If your employer
requests a self-certificate for any part of the first seven days, then they should
provide this for you. If you are unemployed or self employed contact the DSS (tel:
0845 6060704) as soon as you become ill as this may affect any later
claim for benefit.
If your employer insists on a private certificate for an illness of less than
seven days' duration then please ask them to contact your doctor. If the doctor
agrees to provide a private certificate there will be a charge made, which is payable on collection.
How Do I....
Obtain advice about vaccinations for Foreign Travel?
Why do I need travel vaccinations?
Unfortunately, not all countries in the world are free from infectious disease as we are in the UK. There are many serious and occasionally life threatening diseases which can be easily prevented by vaccinations and by following simple advice.
How do I know whether I need Travel Vaccinations?
Normally your travel agent will advise you to contact your local medical centre if you are traveling to an area that requires vaccinations, however if you are uncertain then general advice is available on-line at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.
Here at the surgery, our specially trained travel nurses will be able to advise you specifically on which vaccinations using a regularly updated NHS travel website.
What do I need to do to get my vaccinations?
You must contact us at around 8 weeks (or sooner-the sooner you contact us the better) before you are due to travel. We will issue you with a travel questionnaire, which must be completed and returned to us before we can offer you an appointment. The questionnaire will ask you important questions relating to your holiday, your health and your vaccination history. The travel nurse will then assess your questionnaire and determine which vaccines are recommended for your specific destination and any specific advice you should have to ensure you have a safe holiday. We will then contact you around 4-6 weeks before you travel, usually by phone or letter to offer you an appointment with the travel nurse.
Why do I need to fill out a questionnaire?
By asking important travel and health related questions the travel nurse is then able to make a full assessment of your individual holiday needs prior to your appointment. This saves time at the appointment, allowing the nurse to focus on advice specific to you and your holiday. The questionnaire is then added to your medical records, it is an essential part of your pre-travel assessment as a whole.
Will it cost me anything?
Most vaccinations are available free on the NHS and kept in stock at the surgery. Some vaccinations require the patient to collect a private prescription from us to obtain the vaccination from the chemist. You then pay the pharmacist for the cost of that vaccination. All anti-malarial tablets incur cost. Some can be purchased “over the counter” at pharmacies. Some require a private prescription. The travel nurse will advise which tablets you may require.
What happens if I am traveling last minute?
Our travel clinics are very popular and do become fully booked. Also, some vaccinations need to be administered in plenty of time for them to become truly effective and some require a course of injections
If you require vaccinations at short notice, a private travel clinic MAY be able to help, for example:
Private Travel Clinics
Nomad Travel Clinic
38 Park Street
Clifton
Bristol
0117 922 6567
How Do I....
Obtain advice for older people, carers, relatives and adults with care needs?
Should you require information on Community Services such as care & support, money & benefits, your home or keeping well etc. please contact Somerset Direct Adults Team, a free service from Somerset County Council for older people, carers, relatives and other adults with care needs.
Somerset Direct - Adults is a government initiative aimed at people over 60, their families and carers. It is run as part of the local authority's Social Services Department.
Information and help for older people and adults with a disability:
Tel No: 0845 345 9133
Email: Adults@somerset.gov.uk
How Do I....
Obtain Direct Access to Physiotherapy Services?
Burnham Medical Centre patients are able to refer themselves directly to Burnham on Sea Physiotherapy Department for an appointment for assessment and advice, without the need to see the GP first if they are suffering with any of the following conditions:
- Back & neck pain
- Sports Injuries
- Muscle & ligament sprains & strains
- Joint pains
- Patients recovering from recent orthopaedic surgery or following fractures or dislocation
They cannot help with:
- Neurological conditions
- Respiratory conditions
- Significant mobility problems or falls
Contact details:
Call the Physiotherapy Direct Access Line between 8.00am and 3.00pm, Mon-Fri to make an initial appointment with a physiotherapist: 01278 436733
WHAT CAN YOU BE SEEN FOR?
Physiotherapy can be beneficial for musculoskeletal problems eg neck and back pain, recent injury (strains and sprains), or any joint or muscular problems.
WHAT CONDITIONS ARE NOT COVERED?
Problems that are not covered by this service include:
- Neurological conditions such as strokes.
- Respiratory or breathing problems.
- Recurrent falls.
It is best to discuss these types of problems with your GP who will be able to refer you to the most appropriate service.
HOW DOES DIRECT ACCESS WORK?
You do NOT have to visit your GP first, but can ring the department and arrange an appointment.
You can also download the necessary form by clicking here (PDF) or click here (DOC).
On your first appointment you will be seen by a Chartered Physiotherapist who will discuss your problem with you. The Physiotherapist will then undertake a full assessment and examination as necessary in order to determine your problem and the most appropriate course of action.
IMPORTANT: You must notify the receptionist on your arrival if you have a pacemaker before entering the treatment area.
TREATMENT
The Physiotherapist will agree with you acceptable goals and discuss the most appropriate management of your action.
ITEMS TO BRING
Please bring a list of any medication you are taking at the moment. Appropriate clothing is necessary to allow assessment of the affected limb eg shorts/skirt for lower limb problems and a vest top for upper limb or neck. Patients are required to undress to their underwear for back assessments or to bring shorts.
APPOINTMENTS
As far as possible, appointments will be offered at times that are convenient to you, as it is important for you to attend regularly if you need more than one appointment. We realise that cancellations are sometimes unavoidable but we do ask for at least 24 hours' notice where at all possible to allow us to offer another patient the opportunity to attend. We will try to give you as much notice as possible if we have to cancel or change your appointment and hope this will not inconvenience you.
FAILURE TO ATTEND
Having agreed your initial appointment with us, should you fail to attend and not contact us within 24 hours or with exceptional circumstances, we will have to discharge you and your GP/Consultant will be informed.
WAITING TIME
It is our aim that you should spend no longer than 30 minutes after the time of your booked appointment. Unfortunately, there will be occasions when this time is exceeded; occasionally the doctors may have to leave the surgery to attend emergency cases. We would hope you understand that we must afford these patients priority. When the doctor you are waiting to see is called out on an emergency, you may, if you wish, be asked to see another doctor, or, if you prefer, to make another appointment, if this is not suitable. This also applies to appointments to see the nurse who also has to attend emergencies from time to time.
A receptionist will inform waiting patients if a doctor leaves the surgery to make an emergency call.
HELP US TO HELP YOU
We welcome any suggestions you might have that may improve the service we provide. Please feel free to speak to a member of staff or write to the Superintendent Physiotherapist at the hospital where you are being treated.
CONTACT NUMBER FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT:
BURNHAM ON SEA HOSPITAL 01278 773108-
MON-THURS 8.30-4.00
FRI 8.30-2.30
