The surgery website is the most effective way of giving our patients access to help and the latest information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It contains complete information about all the services we offer. It also details how the practice is organised and introduces our doctors, other clinical and administrative staff and describes their various responsibilities.
In spite of increased capacity, our phone lines are often stretched to the point that doctors cannot ring out of the surgery. This also makes it difficult to keep our phone lines free from those who cannot contact us by other means for example if they are frail, elderly or facing any form of disability.
If your problem needs on the day response you should call the surgery at 8am.
If your problem does not need an immediate response you could use e-consult as this is the most straightforward way that the GP's can look in depth at your complaint in the context of your medical background.
There are five ways to seek healthcare advice:
- Visit your GP practice website and complete a confidential online form to request advice or treatment. Please note online forms should not be used for very urgent medical problems
- Call your practice to arrange an appointment, our phone lines open at 8am, please call as early as you are able if you have an urgent medical problem
- For urgent issues or out of hours care, you can call the NHS on 111 or go online to seek advice at nhs.uk.
- Download the NHS app to order repeat prescriptions and get health advice
- Some appointments are available to book directly via patient access online, to use this service you must be registered via a form which is available from our reception team
Whatever way you chose to get in touch, a senior doctor will triage your request and you will be contacted by a member of the admin team (usually within 30 mins) to let you know when an appointment can be offered.
Please remember to state if you prefer a particular clinician or have specific requirements about when you can attend the practice or if you need any assistance to access the practice.
We can offer telephone consultations in some circumstances (for example a condition which does not require an examination such as something to do with your well-being or mood, the results of blood tests or to update us on a previously diagnosed condition). However, please note most conditions will require face-to-face assessment and it is normal practice to examine all patients before prescribing antibiotics.
Home visits are available on request, but only for those people who are housebound long-term or due to a temporary illness.
Veterans
Are you a military veteran? If so, please let the practice know, and we will add this to your medical records. Military veterans can get priority appointments within the NHS for conditions which are related to their service. Our practice is committed to supporting those who have served our country and their families.
Carers
Are you a carer? If so, please let us know so we can update your medical records.
At the Strand Medical Centre, we endeavour to support carers by offering them mental health support, annual health checks, priority and flexible appointments, virtual appointments and online prescribing. We also offer a free flu vaccination for anybody who supports a vulnerable family member or friend. Please contact the practice if you require more information about this service.
Language or other communication needs
Please let the practice know if you have any language or communication needs. We have various ways to support you.
All calls to and from the practice will be recorded for monitoring and training purposes
Care Quality Commission Inspection
We are shortly to be inspected by the Care Quality Commission, the national regulator for general practices in England.
If you would like to contribute to our inspection by giving your views on the service we provide, please click on the link.
