Appointment types

A standard routine appointment is 10-15 minutes. Minor surgical procedures, including IUCD insertion and Implanon insertion/removal, are 30 minutes. An iron infusion requires an hour long appointment.

We endeavour to minimise waiting times, and if you have multiple issues to discuss, or require counselling, please consider booking a double appointment.

If you require an urgent appointment, please inform our reception team and this can then be dealt with effectively.

Cancellations

If an appointment needs to be cancelled, then please let our reception team know as soon as possible. In this way, the appointment can be booked by another patient, instead of being wasted. If the appointment is cancelled at very late notice, and remains unbooked, a cancellation fee will be charged.

Phone messages

If you have concerns that you wish to discuss with your doctor, it is probably best to do this in person. This is because the doctor will have more time to discuss the issue, and it may be that an examination is required. Doctors will only take urgent phone calls during surgery owing to the importance of keeping interruptions to a minimum. Messages can be left with the reception team and the doctor can then return phone calls at a convenient time. If the matter is about an urgent medical issue, then please make this clear to the reception team, who can then deal with this in the most appropriate manner.

Results

If you have tests done, please organise a follow up appointment to discuss results and further management. A normal test result may be an indication for further investigation or specialist referral, and therefore, for patient safety it is important to discuss all test results with the doctor. Test results may, in certain cases, be given on the phone by our practice nurse after discussion with the relevant doctor. Pap smear results will be sent to patients. If a test result is abnormal a recall will be organised by our practice nurse. Please note that test results may not be given to third parties (including family members), without your written consent.

Recalls

Chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma are best managed with regular follow up to reduce the risk of long term complications and to optimise treatment. Our clinical team will provide a coordinated programme of care and will send out timely reminders for review appointments.

Record keeping

Patient records are kept electronically. If you have registered for the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) then please let your doctor know and new diagnoses and medication updates can be uploaded. Your PCEHR can be accessed by you and doctors involved in your care including hospital emergency departments.