Appointments

We operate an appointment system both for your convenience and to aid the doctors. You need to call the practice at 08:30 on the day you wish to be seen. We also offer pre-booking of GP appointments for patient convenience.

We will endeavour to oblige patients who require an urgent appointment if they contact us as early as possible on the day.

Telephone Advice

Sometimes you may want advice on a health problem or medication and simply wish to speak to a doctor. If you feel this is necessary we would ask that you ring the Surgery at 8.30am to be placed on the Doctors call list. We do ask that you give an updated telephone number and try to be alert to answer your phone when the GP calls you back. 

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 and you may be seen more quickly.

Treatment Room

From time to time the doctor or nurse may request certain tests.  These tests are carried out in the Treatment Room.  You can book an appointment at the Treatment Room by calling 02882 835525.

Patients can now contact Strule Practice on 02882243231 to organise Treatment Room appointments for bloods only. For injections, wounds or any other service, the Treatment Room must be contacted directly. 

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

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 10:30.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. 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.

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)