How our GP appointment system works
We understand that different patients want different things from our appointment system. Some people like to fit appointments in with their work or other commitments whilst others prefer to ring for a same day appointment. Many people have more routine matters to discuss whilst other people have potentially life threatening health issues needing prompt attention.
We try our best to meet these varying needs within the limitations of the number of GPs appointments available. Like most GP surgeries, the demand for GP appointments here at Pen Y Bont is very high. Therefore, our receptionists will normally ask you a few questions to help you find the most appropriate point of care.
It is important that you inform the receptionist at your earliest convenience if you no longer require your appointment, this enables the appointment to become available to another patient.
We have a number of appointments types available:
Booked in advance
Bookable up to 4 weeks ahead, these provide choice and flexibility as to when and by whom you are seen. If these appointments are filled on a particular day the receptionist will look for an acceptable alternative. These appointments can be booked by telephone or by emailing Enquiries.W91023@wales.nhs.uk.
Available on the day
Every day at 8.00am a number of appointments become available, enabling you to see our a GP on that day.
Urgent medical problems
If you have an urgent and serious problem but all the appointments for a particular day are filled, please tell the receptionist. The ‘on call’ doctor will call you back to either give advice on the phone or arrange to see you as an urgent appointment at a specified time. As such there is no flexibility over appointment time or choice of GP. These appointments are specifically to address the urgent medical problem within an already full surgery.
Telephone
Each day there are a number of telephone appointments for when you need advice but not to be seen in person. The receptionist will ask for brief details to ensure this approach is the most appropriate for your needs. They will give you the time frame in which your call will be returned; you may leave a mobile number but please ensure your mobile phone is switched on.
Chaperone
If you would like a chaperone to be present during an examination, please mention this to the receptionist or doctor. Occasionally this may entail returning on another occasion if a suitable chaperone is unavailable.
Nurse Prescriber/Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners are all trained specialist nurses who have undertaken additional education in order to provide advanced nursing care and prescribe.
Nurse Practitioners can provide treatment and advice for many problems for which you may have seen a doctor for in the past. Their main areas of expertise are in the management of common illnesses and long term conditions.
Practice Nurses
Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly. Appointments with a nurse can be booked up to two or more weeks in advance.
Telephone Advice
The practice nurse and the doctors are happy to give advice over the telephone and the best time to call is after 11:15. If they are still in surgery you will either be asked to call back or leave contact details for one of them to call you back.
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.
Home Visits
Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:30.
You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls
You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.
