We run all our surgeries by appointment. We offer patients the ability to book appointments on-line, see a receptionist to register
Our practice Pharmacist is available a Monday to Friday and is able to deal with any medication queries patients may have. Appointments for him are also available for medication reviews in Gelligaer surgery.
We do not hold drop in or open surgeries.
We encourage our patients to see the same doctor, this gives you continuity of care and enables us to provide you with the best possible care. Should you wish to see a particular doctor or nurse please do not hesitate to ask for an appointment with them by name.
We aim to offer appointments within 7 working days. Appointments with the doctor are available between 8.30am and 5.50pm. Appointments for blood tests are from 8.30am until 12.00am (all tests are collected at lunchtime), we are unable to take blood and other samples after lunch time. Nurse appointments are available from 8.30 am to 5.50pm.
If you are unsure of the type of appointment you need receptionists will be able to assist.
Seeing a Doctor
You can see a doctor every day except Saturdays and Sundays by booking an appointment with the surgery. Morning surgery runs between 8.30am to 11.00 am, with afternoon surgery times varying between 2.30pm up to 5.50pm.
If you have an urgent medical problem please see the emergency section.
If you wish to see a specific doctor we will tell you when their next available appointment is. We try to make sure you see the doctor of your choice but if they are not available we may ask you to see another doctor.
We will always try and see you within 20 minutes of your appointment time, and will give you an explanation if there is a delay.
Seeing a Nurse or Phlebtomist
Our nurses and healthcare assistant see patients by appointment only.
Many routine check ups are performed by our nurses. They monitor patients with chronic disease (i.e. Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, Epilepsy, Hypertension, CHD) and long term medical problems. If you have a chronic disease you will be recalled annually (at least) during the month of your birthday. Some, like Diabetics require a review more than once a year, but the frequency of the need for you to attend will often depend on you as an individual.
Our nurses also give advice on healthy living, and contraception. They offer cervical screening (smears), contraception checks, Spirometry, Dopplers, appropriate immunisation and much more. Baby immunisations can be given during routine appointments.
The healthcare assistant will be able to offer you afternoon appointments for blood pressure checks, dressings (when directed by the nurse), diet and lifestyle advice, general advice, ECG’s, Vitamin B12 injections .
Emergencies
If you need to see a doctor in an emergency and it is during surgery hours the practice has emergency appointments in the morning, these are for acute illnesses that can not wait. You should ring the surgery as soon as you are able, and the receptionist will book you in for an emergency appointment . You may have to wait dependant on the number of people attending. The surgery appreciates, especially with children, that you may deteriorate during the day. If you feel you need to be seen later in the day then the receptionist will usually ask the doctor to telephone you, and they can offer you appropriate advice.
Outside surgery hours please telephone NHS Direct Wales on 111 or online at www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk.
Patients with serious medical emergencies should not delay treatment while trying to contact the surgery. If you think you may be having a heart attack you should dial 999 first, or for any condition you feel needs urgent medical attention do not hesitate to dial 999.
Home Visits
We expect you to attend the surgery when you need medical help. This allows us to look after you with the right equipment and with other staff available to help us. However, if you are unable to get to surgery because of ill health we will visit you at home. Please telephone before 10.30 am and a doctor may telephone you back. You will normally be visited after morning surgery.
Telephone
We aim to answer your calls as quickly as possible. Our doctors and nurses are happy to give advice on the telephone but cannot be interrupted during surgeries. If you wish to speak to a doctor, or nurse please ask the receptionist who will be happy to take your details and a doctor or nurse will return your call at the end of the surgery.
Our telephone lines are becoming very busy and we are encouraging patients to use on-line services for booking routine appointments. We do not take telephone requests for prescriptions.
We may monitor, record, store and use any telephone, email or other communication with you in order to check any instructions given to us, for training purposes, for crime prevention and to improve the quality of our services.
