Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I need to be seen today?
When you contact the surgery, some brief details will be taken by a member of staff and along with your contact details, passed to a doctor. The doctor will phone you back, discuss your problem and assess your need appropriately.
What happens if I ask to be seen without an appointment?
If you drop in and ask to be seen, your details will be passed to the doctor who will assess your problem and triage your need appropriately.
What happens if it is an emergency?
Medical emergencies will be seen on the same day with the minimum of delay.
Where do I get advice about breast exams and cervical smears?
A Well Woman Clinic is run by Dr Mitchell and Sister Hood on a Wednesday afternoon and by Dr Robinson and Sister Gourlay on a Thursday afternoon Patients are seen by appointment only. The clinic is for women wanting to discuss health matters especially pertaining to family planning and breast examination. Cervical smear tests are also done at these clinics.
What about antenatal care?
Arrangements about antenatal care can be made with each doctor on an individual basis. Usually after confirming your pregnancy, the GP will ask you to attend the antenatal clinic at the surgery. This clinic is run by a midwife from the RAH Maternity unit – Blue Team. It is held at the practice every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. The Blue team midwives will visit you at home after the birth. If you booked to deliver at the RAH, then the Blue Team midwives will look after you while you are in hospital.
How do I get advice about contraception?
The doctor or practice nurse will be very happy to discuss this with you. Simply make an appointment at the surgery.
How do I get my baby immunised?
A baby clinic is held every Tuesday afternoon in conjunction with our two Health Visitors. We carry out baby development checks as well as their immunisations. We also have Immunisation Clinics on a Wednesday run by the Practice Nurse and Health Visitor. The Health Visitors can be contacted by phoning the surgery.
What happens when I need the doctor and the surgery is closed?
When the practice is closed, emergency help can be obtained by phoning NHS 24 on 08454 242424.
When you phone the service, you will speak to a Nurse who will assess your symptoms. They may offer you advice, arrange for a house visit or make an appointment for you at the Out of Hours Centre based at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in the Geriatric Day Hospital. The centre is staffed by doctors, including local GPs.
Please note that this service is for serious illness and emergencies only and you must telephone NHS 24 prior to attending the Out of Hours Centre.
Do I have to make an appointment for my prescriptions?
Sometimes your treatment can be continued by means of a repeat prescription. However the doctor will still want to see you every so often to see how things are progressing.
How do I get my repeat prescription?
Prescriptions are not taken over the phone. You can get your repeat prescription by handing or posting in the re-order form to reception. Prescriptions take 48 hours to process, so remember to make your request before you run out of your medication. If you are posting a prescription and require it posted back, remember to enclose a stamped addressed envelope (this will take up to a week under normal circumstances).
If you receive repeat prescriptions and have not been seen by a doctor for some time, you may be asked to make an appointment to attend for a review.
I need a prescription, but I don't normally get it?
It may be possible to order a repeat prescription for treatment that you have had before, eg hay fever tablets. This will be at the discretion of the doctor. You may be asked to make an appointment to discuss your request with the doctor.
I have moved, who do I tell?
It is very important that you inform the practice of any change of address, however temporary. You may do this by telephoning or calling into reception.
I have changed my telephone number; do you need to know this?
It is very important that you inform the practice of any change of telephone number. There are many reasons why we may have to contact you and it is vitally important that you let us know of any change of telephone number. Failure to do so may mean a delay in appropriate treatment.
