THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM AT NORTH BADDESLEY SURGERY
The System – We have introduced a usual GP system for all patients.
Routine doctor appointments can be booked up to 4 weeks in advance and for more urgent problems within 72 hours.
If you have a condition that you believe to be a medical emergency and you cannot wait until the next day for treatment, there is a duty doctor each morning and afternoon. It would help us to arrange appointments quickly if you could ring before 11:00 for the morning or 15:00 for the afternoon. The reception staff may arrange a telephone consultation with the doctor prior to your appointment. Please remember that this is designed to treat NEW URGENT problems or existing conditions that have rapidly become worse and NOT for follow up or review of old problems.
We have also introduced telephone appointments at set times. This means that if you have a problem that requires only a discussion with a doctor, such as a query about medication or follow up of a particular treatment, you should be able to arrange this without coming to the surgery.
When you telephone to book your appointment the receptionists will ask for brief details of your problem. They are using a ‘Signposting’ system which was to help identify which type of appointment can best meet the needs of the patient. Please be assured that patient confidentiality will be maintained at all times. It is not essential to give any details if you would prefer not to.
GP appointments can be made via the internet if you are a registered user (to register please see our website, speak to a member of the reception team), over the telephone or by coming in to the surgery. Please note that you are unable to book nurse appointments on-line as the times and nature of these appointments are too variable.
Appointments are available Monday to Friday during both the morning and the afternoon, with non-urgent evening appointments on a Tuesday for working patients who cannot attend during the usual surgery opening times. The Tuesday evening appointments are pre-booked only.
Why we have the system
We have nearly 7000 patients and we need to try to make sure that our appointment system is accessible and meets the needs of our patients within an appropriate time frame, whilst using the resources that we have as effectively as possible. Currently our urgent appointments are being filled with non-urgent conditions, meaning that we are not able to provide the best service possible. We appreciate this is as a result of there not being sufficient routine appointments, but we hope that the new usual GP system will allow greater availability and continuity.
Our book-in-advance appointments are designed to help those who know in advance when they need to see their GP. eg: for ongoing conditions, medication reviews or non-urgent problems. If your GP asks you to book a follow up appointment please try to do this at reception on your way out. You will be told when to book for by your GP.
| | Morning | Afternoon |
| Monday | Dr Batchelor Dr Fowler Dr Schofield Dr Gawthorpe | Dr Batchelor Dr Fowler Dr Schofield Dr Gawthorpe |
| Tuesday | Dr Haig Dr Holroyd Dr Fowler | Dr Haig Dr Fowler |
| Wednesday | Dr Batchelor Dr Holroyd Dr Fowler Dr Porter | Dr Batchelor Dr Holroyd Dr Fowler |
| Thursday | Dr Haig Dr Holroyd (alt weeks) Dr Fowler Dr Gawthorpe | Dr Holroyd (alt weeks) Dr Fowler Dr Gawthorpe |
| Friday | Dr Haig Dr Holroyd Dr Porter | Dr Haig Dr Holroyd Dr Porter |