Appointments

We are temporarily not offering online appointments to patients

Here's what to do if you wish to speak to a GP:

• Contact the practice, either online, by an app or by phone

• You will be assessed and as far as possible you will receive advice or care online or over the phone

• If a face-to-face appointment is necessary, you will be advised on what to do

PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE PRACTICE UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO.  THIS WILL ENSURE WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL CARE SAFELY.

Please contact reception on 01763 242981 if you would like to receive a phone call. 

We practice a “personal list” system, which means that, wherever possible, you should see your own doctor.  In an emergency, however, please be prepared to see the first doctor available. To make a routine or urgent appointment please call reception on 01763 242981 The phone lines are open from 8.00am-6.30pm daily.

Evening and weekend appointments now available

The Practice is now offering evening and weekend appointments with a GP or nurse as part of Extended GP Opening hours. These are for routine, non-urgent issues. These appointments are offered here as well as at Nuffield Road Medical Centre, Cambridge, Comberton Surgery or St Mary's Surgery, Ely.

You can book your appointment through our receptionist who will give you a time, date and venue for your appointment.  

Our receptionist will also at be able to answer any questions you have about the service and how to cancel or change your booking.

If you would like to find out more please go to www.openlater.co.uk

Chaperones

Please ask the receptionist if you require a chaperone.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else. You can leave a message on our voicemail by calling 01763 242981 - option 1.

Home Visits

These are for patients who are genuinely too ill to come to the surgery. Please come to the surgery whenever possible as you will be seen quicker than if you have to wait for a home visit.

Six patients can be seen in the time it takes the GP to make one visit.  If you do need a home visit, please telephone before 10.30 on the day the visit is required.

The receptionist will require some details of the patient and the problem so that doctors can assess the urgency of the call.  We usually ask parents of children to bring them to the surgery to be seen.  Some patients will be required to attend surgery as some examinations cannot be performed at a patient’s home.

Unfortunately we are not able to visit patients because they do not have transport. We would ask these patients to make arrangements to attend the surgery. 

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's 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 employer's 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).

Teaching and Training

Throughout the year we teach students from Addenbrooke’s Medical School.  The students come at various stages of their clinical training. We appreciate the help our patients give us by allowing these students to learn in real life settings.  We are also a training practice for fully qualified doctors who are undergoing a three year training programme to become GPs. 

An important part of their learning involves video recording consultations or observed consultations with their GP trainer (this is done only when patients give their full consent).