EAST IPSWICH PRIMARY CARE NETWORK

Routine Appointments

You can see your doctor during surgery times by making an appointment with reception.

The Medical Centre is open from 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.  Please contact the receptionist either by telephone on 01473 213261 or by calling into the Surgery.

We are asked by the Department of Health to offer appointments for a health care professional within 24 hours and a doctor within 48 hours.  Whilst we do continue to offer booking beyond 48 hours this requirement does mean that the options are more limited than before.

Same Day Appointments

A health care professional will see and assess you within 24 hours if you feel this is needed.  However, you may not be able to see your usual doctor.  Timing for routine appointments does not include Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays.  Should you find it difficult to attend a weekday appointment, you maybe able to book for a Saturday morning clinic with a Doctor.

GP+ extended Hours Appointments

GP+ Appointments Suffolk GP+ is for people who urgently need a doctor’s appointment or are unable to see their GP during normal GP hours.

Appointments can be made via Reception during our usual opening hours. Please note cannot refer themselves to this service.

The service is staffed by local Suffolk GPs and Nurse Practitioners in Ipswich, Felixtowe, Stowmarket, Leiston and Wickham Market and is an NHS service delivered by the Suffolk GP Federation.

You will be given a booked appointment and will be seen by a suitable local GP or nurse who will have access to your medical records (once consent is given).

Telephone Advice

We take urgent calls at any time; otherwise we will phone patients back at a convenient time or after surgery.  Very often a telephone consultation with a doctor can avoid the need for a trip to the surgery.

Please leave your telephone number and brief details about the call with our receptionist and a doctor will phone you back.

Chaperones

There may be times when you would feel more comfortable with a chaperone in the room during your consultation with the doctor.  If this is the case please do not hesitate to ask, your doctor will be happy to arrange this immediately.

Interpreters

Those unable to speak and understand English are encouraged to come in with an English speaking friend or relative to translate; when this is not possible the surgery has access to interpretation services through Language Line (www.languageline.co.uk). Please advise reception that you need a double-appointment if your appointment will require a translator.

Cancelling Appointments

If you are unable to keep an appointment please let us know so that it can be made available for another patient.  If you are late for your appointment you may be asked to rebook for another time in order to minimise waiting for other patients.  For training purposes telephone calls to and from Reception may be monitored.

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.

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).

Teaching and Training

We are a training practice for doctors completing their training, medical students and student nurses.  Occasionally you may be asked to allow a trainee nurse or doctor to 'sit-in' at your consultation.

Please do not hesitate to tell your Doctor if you are not happy with this.  You may be asked if you would be willing to be examined by small groups (2-3) of medical students.  There is no obligation to do this and refusal will not change the way you are treated in the practice.