Advanced Access Appointment System
We have introduced a new appointment system to enable us to offer everyone an appointment within 48 hours. Most of these appointments will be available the same day. You can pre book an early morning or early afternoon appointment up to one month in advance. It is one appointment per patient.
Review appointments are prebookable up to 4 weeks in advance. We will endeavour to give you an appointment with the doctor of your choice but if that doctors appointments are already full you will be offered an appointment with another doctor, however, If you book your appointment in advance you should be able to see the doctor of your choice.
Appointments can be made by telephoning the surgery or by calling at reception. You will not be able to see the doctor of your choice if:
- The doctor is absent on annual leave or through sickness
- The doctor is on emergency duty
- The doctor is off duty
- If you need to be seen the same day with an urgent problem
Urgent Appointments
Urgent appointments will be mainly for acute medical problems only, which you feel require to be dealt with that day. Should you require an urgent appointment for the day, it is advisable for you to ring us earlier in the day, where possible. Our lines are open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm daily – Tel: 01642 616663 (Thornaby Main Surgery)
Extended Hours
Pre-bookable late evening appointments are available on a Tuesday evening for both the Doctors and Nurse from 18:30 pm to 19:30 pm
DNAs (Did Not Attend)
If you do not attend two routine appointments and do not contact the surgery, you will be sent a letter explaining that a further DNA may result in removal from the practice list. If a 3rd DNA occurs then you may be removed from the practice list.
Sickness Certificates
You do not require a doctors 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 employers 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)