Surgery Times

Weekdays 8.30 - 11.00am
Weekdays except Thursday 3.15 - 6.00pm

• During surgery opening times appointments can be made by telephone or at the surgery.
• A full appointment system is used with a limited number of spaces reserved for emergencies and urgent problems. The receptionist may ask for brief details of your problem so that she can assess the urgency with which you need to be seen.
• We will always ask if you wish to see a GP of your choice. If this is the case we will offer you the next available routine appointment with the named doctor. However, if you can be seen earlier we will offer you an appointment with another doctor.
• Please tell the receptionist if the appointment is for more than one person.
• Please let us know if you cannot keep your appointment. We may be able to offer it to someone else.
  

Out Of Hours And Emergencies

• The partners provide 24 hour cover for emergencies and urgent problems and are
  part of North Staffordshire Urgent Care, Basford House, 511 Etruria road, Basford,
  Stoke-on-Trent.
• At any time, telephone either surgery number (see home page). In surgery hours the doctors will respond when appropriate or North Staffordshire Urgent Care during out of hours.
• In many emergencies it may be quicker to ring 999 and get ambulance help. Our area is covered by community paramedic officers who can assess at home. The ambulance service will contact the doctor if appropriate.
• Your local walk-in centre is based at Haywood Hospital, High Lane, Burslem, Stoke on Trent. Telephone number 01782 581112.
• NHS Direct provides a nurse-led scheme which can be contacted at any time on 0845 4647 or on line at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk This is a valuable source of advice and assistance particularly for emergencies when the surgery is closed.

Out-Of-Hours Advice

Can it wait until morning?

If you become unwell while the doctor’s surgery is closed, ask yourself whether you can safely wait until your doctor’s surgery re-opens to receive medical attention. If you feel it may not be safe to wait, or you simply don’t know, then dial your doctor’s emergency telephone number and a doctor or other suitably trained person will discuss with you when and where you should receive your medical care. You may receive advice, be requested to attend the out-of-hours centre at Basford, or receive a home visit. Other options are NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, The Haywood Walk-in Centre and Accident & Emergency.

Is a home visit by a doctor really needed?

Many doctors report that they are being asked to visit at home people who are well enough to travel to the surgery or the out-of-hours centre to be seen. You may not be well enough to walk or catch a bus to see the doctor, but most people are well enough to travel by car. Where possible, ask friends or relatives for a lift or even get a taxi if you can find no other way of getting to the doctor’s premises.

Is it the family doctor I need?

For certain very serious conditions such as severe bleeding, chest pain suggesting a heart attack or severe shortness of breath, it may be more sensible to dial 999 and request an ambulance. The paramedic on board the ambulance provides emergency care as well as rapid transport to hospital. This is often the quickest lifesaving treatment. Also, in cases of injury where a broken bone is suspected, or stitches may be needed, going directly to hospital often makes more sense than calling on your doctor who may not have the facilities to attend to these sorts of problems.

Minor ailments/simple remedies

Many common problems such as coughs, colds, sore throats, earaches and upset stomachs can be dealt with by simple home remedies or medicines easily obtained from the pharmacist. Please read the ‘Self Treatment of Common Illnesses and Accidents’ section later in the booklet for more information.