The Yacht Practice Appointments

When you telephone the surgery simply select the option to use the automated appointment booking service and follow the simple instructions. In order for this automated system to identify you, it will ask you to use your telephone to enter your date of birth and telephone number. Then follow the instructions to book, cancel or check an appointment.

Right to Express Preference for a Practitioner

You have the right to the above but it depends on the availability of the preferred doctor. If the doctor or practitioner has no appointments then you will be offered an appointment with an alternative practitioner.

Types of Consultations Available

You can see the practitioner face-to-face (appointments – routine, urgent and  emergency) or speak to them over the telephone (telephone consultations/triage).

Triage:

This is a telephone consultation service led mainly by our experienced and valuable nurse practitioners. Currently GPs do this service on Fridays and when the nurse practitioners are on holiday. This service is suitable for patients with a new acute problem such as a urinary tract infection or worsening of an ongoing problem eg exacerbation of asthma etc. For any long-term or ongoing problems please make a routine face-to-face or telephone appointment with your GP.

Home Visits:

Requests for home visits should only be made when the patient’s health makes it difficult to attend surgery eg elderly immobile patients. In order for the doctors to best plan their day, we ask that all home visit requests are made by 10.00 am on the day, if possible. You may be telephoned back and asked for further information. Any requests coming to us after 11.30 am are the responsibility of the on-call rather than your regular doctor. If possible, please try to telephone reception before 10.00 am if you require a home visit.

The Waves Practice Appointments

This practice runs a system whereby patients are encouraged to see their own registered GP whenever possible, rather than any available doctor. We feel that this enables patients to develop an ongoing relationship with their doctor, which ensures excellent continuity of care.

All doctors offer a variety of pre-bookable and book on the day appointments. Book on the day appointments are bookable by automated phone system from 7.00 am on the day or from 8.00 am via reception.

Training Practice

We are a training practice and train both medical students and trainee GPs.

Extended Hours

At present we do not offer extended working hours, but if you find appointments problematic then please speak to reception staff, as accommodation can usually be made with the relevant doctor on an individual basis.

Telephone Advice

If you require verbal advice only, then please ask for a telephone consultation at reception. The doctor will then ring you back at a later time. Whilst we will try to accommodate specific time requests we cannot absolutely guarantee them.

Home Visits

In order for the doctors to best plan their day, we ask that all home visit requests are made by 10.00 am on the day, if possible. You may be phoned back to ask for further information. Any requests coming after 12 noon are the responsibility of the on-call rather than your regular doctor

The Anchor Practice Appointments

Appointments for the Anchor Practice are available as pre-bookable or book on the day appointments for more urgent cases.

Teaching Practice

We are a teaching practice and may have doctors in training, including GP Registrars and medical students.

Telephone Consultations

Telephone consultations are available every day. Please be aware that we will always endeavour to offer you an appointment with the doctor of your choice. However, if this is not practically possible, we will offer you a telephone appointment first with that doctor or a clinic appointment with another doctor.

Home Visits

We are happy to provide home visits to those who are housebound and need urgent medical review. We ask that all home visit requests are made by 10.00 am on the day. Please note – this does take time away from normal surgery. We are not able to provide visits where there are transport difficulties only.

Test Results

After your test has been done you should ring the surgery a week later (after 2.30 pm in the afternoon) to see if the results are back and to be advised about the next step.