Other Information

Self Check-in Screens

There is a self check-in screen at each surgery in the reception area. If all you wish to do is register your arrival for an appointment, simply bypass the queue at the reception desk and follow the instructions on the screen. Remember to press the ‘Arrive Me’ place on the screen – and then take your seat. You have now told the doctor or nurse that you have arrived.

Cancellations Policy

Please cancel appointments you do not intend to keep – preferably 24 hours in advance so we can offer it to another patient.
As the demand for appointments increases, we are becoming less able to tolerate patients who do not cancel and subsequently fail to attend. We have a practice policy for considering removal of patients who waste appointments in this way.
If any patient does not attend (DNA) any appointment within a six months’ period, a first letter will be sent. After a second DNA in the same six months, a second letter will be sent advising the patient that a third DNA may result in them being asked to leave the practice.
If the same patient fails to attend a third time within the same six month period, a third letter is prepared and the partners have the final decision on whether the patient should stay or be removed.
You have the right to appeal against this decision within 14 days in writing to the practice manager.

Text Messaging

We operate a text messaging service whereby we send a text message to your mobile phone to remind you of a forthcoming appointment. This facility enables us to send you a message if your appointment has to be changed or cancelled at short notice.
We also highlight the dates of special clinics such as for flu, and remind you of bank holidays etc when we will be closed.
Please check that we have your correct mobile phone number by filling in a form at the reception desk. You may ‘opt-out’ of this service by ticking the appropriate box on the form.

Telephone Consultations
To save you coming in person to the practice, if your query/problem may be managed over the phone, the doctor or nurse will ring you back at around a pre-arranged time. Just tell the receptionist that you would like to book a telephone consultation.

Chaperone

We offer a chaperone service where a member of staff will escort you when you go for a consultation. You and the doctor or nurse may feel more comfortable having another person in the room if you are having a physical or intimate examination. Just mention it at the reception desk, or ask the doctor or nurse.

Managing Your Pharmacy Relationship
Pharmacies are required to provide you with the items on your prescription at a charge which is governed by the NHS. If you are eligible for free prescriptions you will be required to fill in the back of the prescription.
You are responsible for checking that the pharmacist has dispensed the correct medicines in the correct volume. If the pharmacist ‘owes’ you medications you should receive a note to that effect.
Any complaints about the performance of your local pharmacy should be sent in writing, addressed to the pharmacy superintendent of the particular pharmacy, not the GP practice.

Reducing Waste Of Drugs
The NHS has a multi-million pound drugs bill every year. The practice is required to manage the use of medicines by limiting the amount of drugs prescribed at any one time, and by carrying out medical reviews at regular intervals to ensure that patients are receiving the correct medications.
Patients are requested not to ‘stockpile’ drugs (just in case you might need them). Drugs no longer in use should not be placed in domestic waste bins or thrown down the toilet but returned to your local chemist for disposal.

Blood Tests
Our phlebotomist and health care assistants have blood test appointments every day or you can go to the hospital. Blood samples do not keep in good condition overnight so appointments for blood tests are carried out before 3.30pm to enable us to send the samples to the laboratory. Some tests, eg for cholesterol, may require you to fast before the procedure (this means that you cannot eat before the procedure, but you can have sips of water) so ask for an early morning appointment.

Patient Preference
Patients have a right to request an appointment with a named doctor of their choosing. However, because some doctors are part time and work on two sites, there may be a longer wait for an appointment with a specific named doctor.

Preparing For Your Visit To The Surgery or The Hospital
• What is the most important reason for the visit? The doctor may not be able to deal with a ‘shopping list’ of ailments in one consultation.
• How long have you had the illness/ailment? When did it begin to get worse – or cause you sufficient concern that you need to speak to the doctor.
• Bring information about any medicines you have been taking that will not be on your records, such as over-the-counter or pharmacist suggested medications.
• Tell the doctor if your symptoms seem to be linked to a change in medication or dosage.
• Tell the doctor if there is anything going on in your private life that could be affecting your condition.
• Unless the situation is urgent, arrange for a routine appointment.

Carers - Do You Look After Someone?
If you look after a relative, child or friend who is unable to manage without you because of a disability, long-term illness, mental illness or extreme age you are a carer. Please let us know because we would like to offer you additional support, for example fitting appointments for you around your responsibilities. We can also put you in touch with Carers Leeds who offer a wide range of support services. They can be contacted at 6-8 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PT. Tel: 0113 246 8338.