DOWNLOAD THE NHS APP:

The links above will take you to Patient Access website however if you have signed up with Evergreen you will need to log in through their web page.

Appointments 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLARIFY WITH RECEPTION IF YOUR APPOINTMENT IS AT DORKINS WAY SURGERY, CRANHAM OR CORBETS TEY SURGERY, UPMINSTER.

We have an appointment system, which allows pre-bookable and a few book-on-the-day appointments. The receptionist will try to give you a convenient appointment with the doctor of your choice. Appointments can be made up to 4 weeks in advance. Appointments can also be made on-line through our website, ask at reception for log in instructions.

We do try to maintain a good access to the surgery and we are constantly striving to improve. We might not always get it right but we try to look at availability over the weeks ahead and put in extra sessions when we can. We will endeavour to offer you an appointment as soon as possible and in most cases we can accommodate you within 3 working days or sooner. However if you have specific requirements e.g. certain days/times or a particular GP you may have to wait longer for an appointment that meets your particular requirements.

EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS

There are appointments available every day in both morning and afternoon surgery sessions in case of emergencies. Please use these appointments for emergencies only.

Please note that sore throats, coughs and colds are not emergencies. The NHS website has some helpful information on how to treat them. It also advises on when it is appropriate to see a doctor. A local pharmacist will be able to advise you on over the counter treatments for your virus

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/coldsandflu/Pages/Coldcomfort.aspx

Also remember that Antibiotics do not work for Viruses. Please see the useful information leaflet below

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/antibiotics-leaflet

Children and patients >75 years old or patients with a complex medical background will be seen as a priority.

CONTINUITY OF CARE

We believe that the patient has the right to see whichever doctor they choose. However, we do encourage patients to try to stick to one doctor where possible. This makes it easier for you and for the doctor treating you as they are aware of your history and you don’t have to repeat yourself.

When you call to make an appointment the reception will often book you the earliest available appointment. Please specify which doctor you would like to see. If the problem is not an emergency we encourage you to wait for your usual doctor even if that means waiting a few more days for the appointment. In the case of emergencies we would advise you to book the earliest available appointment so as not to delay your treatment.

WASTED APPOINTMENTS

Last year we lost over 500 appointments due to non-attendance. Please remember to cancel your appointment in advance if you are unable to attend as this will allow someone else to take the slot.

TIMINGS

Please try to be on time for your appointment. We appreciate that the clinicians may run late and please accept our apologies in advance for this. We have a very elderly population within Havering and some cases simply overrun when patients are unwell or cases are complex. Generally, our patients are wonderful and have always shown great support and understanding so we thank you and appreciate your patience!

A GP appointment is usually booked at 10 minute intervals. As you can appreciate, this is not very long. Unfortunately offering longer appointments means that we would be unable to meet the overall demand for appointments.

We do not enforce a strict rule of a one problem per consultation, as some things can be dealt with quickly, for example a medication review or a mole check, whereas a presentation with chest pain or breathing problems will take a full 10 minutes and even longer sometimes. If you do have a few problems you want to discuss then please book a double appointment. The doctor may ask you to come back if they need more time. We understand this may be frustrating but please remember that the doctor does have your best interests at heart and it may simply not be possible, realistic or safe to deal with a second problem within 5 minutes.

PRACTICE NURSES

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many conditions, can prescribe medication and you may be seen more quickly.

They can prescribe contraception and also do Blood pressure check. 

Finding the right NHS Service for you

Please access the website below which allows you to see what services are available in the local area depending on your needs. Please remember that AE is for serious accidents and life threatening emergencies. 

 http://www.notalwaysaande.co.uk/

How to get the most out of my GP appointment?

• A routine appointment with a GP lasts 10 minutes. Make sure you arrive promptly and ensure you have checked yourself in at reception.

• The doctor will almost certainly want to know when your symptoms started so have a think about this before you enter the room.  If you have a query about a medication then make sure you know the name of the medication. Also remember to tell the doctor what you are worried about. The quicker you get to the point, the more time the GP has to solve your problem.

• If it is likely the GP may want to examine you, make sure you are dressed appropriately for an examination. For example, do not wear several layers

• If you have more than one problem, tell the Doctor at the START of the consultation. This allows the doctor to time the consultation efficiently

• We do not limit your consultation to one problem per appointment as some problems can be dealt with quickly. At the same time, a long list of problems works against both the doctor and the patient. It means each of your problems gets less attention. Therefore we recommend that you do not ‘save up’ your problems for one appointment.

• Remember your appointment is for YOU and not your family member. Ten minutes is not very long so use the time to focus on your needs! If you are concerned about a relative then book a separate appointment for them

• For safety reasons, the doctor will not be able to see 2 patients in 1 appointment. You can however swap appointments if you wish

• Do not book an appointment with the doctor to chase a referral for you or a blood test result. Our reception staff will deal with this for you. For contraception and a blood pressure check, see the nurse!

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 10:00. A GP will call you to perform a telephone triage and discuss the treatment plan.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. You cannot request a GP visit for transport issues. 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 to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

COVID 19 - We will not be providing medical certificates- see guidance below. You can get an isolation note however. Please see the link below:

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

The current Government Guidance for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19) states;

“By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness. After 7 days, employers may use their discretion around the need for medical evidence if an employee is staying at home.

We strongly suggest that employers use their discretion around the need for medical evidence for a period of absence where an employee is advised to stay at home either as they are unwell themselves, or live with someone who is, in accordance with the public health advices issued by the government.”

Sickness Certificates

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)

IF YOU STILL REQUIRE A SICK CERTIFICATE FROM THE GP, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW BY CLICKING ON THE LINK AND HAND IN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO RECEPTION. IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR YOU TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE GP TO DISCUSS FURTHER. HOWEVER THE GP WILL LET YOU KNOW, AFTER REVIEWING YOUR REQUEST, IF THIS WILL BE REQUIRED. 

SICK CERT REQUEST FORM

* PLEASE REMEMBER TO CANCEL APPOINTMENTS IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND SO ANOTHER PATIENT CAN HAVE YOUR APPOINTMENT.

IN RECENT MONTH WE HAVE SEEN HIGH NUMBERS OF PATIENTS NOT TURNING UP FOR APPOINTMENTS WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE PRACTICE. DURING THE BUSY NHS WINTER PERIOD PLEASE BOOK APPOINTMENTS APPROPRIATELY. 

WE OPERATE A TWO STRIKES POLICY, IF YOU MISS MORE THAN TWO APPOINTMENTS, YOU RUN THE RISK OF BEING REMOVED FROM THE LIST

 WE LOSE APPROXIMATELY 40-50 APPOINTMENTS A MONTH DUE TO NON-ATTENDANCE! 

Sign up for ONLINE SERVICES

1. Book/Cancel appointments online

2. Order Repeat Prescriptions online

3. Access part of your medical records online

You can get a form to complete from reception. Alternatively, please print and complete the form below and return to reception with ID documents. 

Application for online access- form

Form for access to detailed coded medical records-Supplementary form for access to detailed coded medical records