How to register
We have an open list and welcome requests for registration from patients living in or moving to the practice area.
You can register by completing the relevant forms available from reception. It is important that you complete all of the sections on the forms including your NHS number and full details of your previous doctor. This will enable us to retrieve your medical notes more quickly.
You will be invited to attend for a New Patient Health Check with the Practice Nurse. She will ask about your medical history so that we are able to give you any treatment you require, whilst we await your medical notes.
Appointments
We run all our surgeries by an appointment only system. Appointments can be booked by telephoning the surgery on 01829 732401 or you may call in to the surgery. You can view our surgery timetable for all our Doctors availability. The reception office is open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.30 pm. Please try to ring between 8.30-9.00 am if you require an appointment on the same day. If your problem is not urgent and you require a routine appointment we ask if possible that you ring between 1.00-3.00 pm when the phone lines are quieter.
If you would like a routine appointment outside of normal surgery hours you can access the Extended Hours Service based in Chester, where appointments are available 6.30 pm-8.00 pm Monday to Friday and 10.00 am - 12 noon on Saturday mornings. These appointments can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance. We can book this for you and let you know when your appointment is, or you can call the Extended Hours Service direct to arrange this yourself if that is more convenient on 01244 385422. They may also be able to offer you an appointment at one of the other centres in Ellesmere Port, Helsby or Tattenhall if Chester is not convenient for you.
We have a patient "calling system" in the waiting room. The Doctors will "call" patients from their room using a screen in the waiting room. When the Doctor is ready to see their next patient the screen will beep and the name of the patient will appear, with the name of the Doctor they are seeing and the room number to which they are to go to.
We try to make sure you see the doctor of your choice but if they are not available we may ask you to see another doctor.
Please arrive promptly for your appointment. If you cannot keep your appointment please let us know as soon as possible so we may offer the appointment to another patient.
Illnesses are not predictable and urgent calls can upset the best appointment system - please be patient.
Staff manning our reception and telephone lines are fully trained to ensure that high levels of patient care are met. Some of their responses to your requests may frustrate you but they are only trying to gain information to route your query correctly. This may be offering you an appointment with the appropriate person or asking our Nurse Practitioner or duty doctor to call you back. All our staff are duty bound to honour patient confidentiality. Please be patient and courteous to the receptionists who are often under considerable stress. The times it is most difficult to get through to the surgery are the times it is the busiest.
Our Nurse Practitioner is qualified to assess your condition, diagnose, prescribe medicine and refer you for further investigations. She can also advise you on other aspects of your care. Her role is similar to that currently provided by your GP. When contacting the surgery for an urgent appointment, you may be offered an appointment with our Nurse Practitioner, however, should you wish an appointment with your usual GP, this can be arranged, although it may not necessarily be the same day.
If your condition is urgent you will always be seen by a Doctor or the Nurse Practitioner on the same day. To enable us to do this it is important that you do not book an urgent appointment unnecessarily.
If you are too ill to come to the surgery and you require a home visit, please call the surgery before 10.00 am so that the Doctors are able to plan their visits. Please give a brief explanation to the receptionists about what is wrong with you. This will help the Doctors see the most urgent cases first. Home visits take up much more of a Doctor’s time than a consultation in the surgery, so if you are mobile please come in to the surgery to be seen.
Please note that when a patient is discharged from hospital the Doctor does not routinely make home visits. However, if you have problems or become unwell following discharge we advise that you seek medical attention straight away. Please ring the surgery for an appointment to see a Doctor or to request a home visit if you are unable to get to surgery because of your illness.
Clinics
| Clinic | Description | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Family Planning |
All our Doctors give advice on family planning during surgery hours. If you require emergency contraception please ask for an urgent appointment. |
No set time - during surgery hours |
| Well Woman Clinic |
Cervical smears, breast examination and health screening are carried out by our female Doctors at clinics held at Tarporley Cottage Hospital. The Practice Nurses also run smear clinics at the main surgery in Tarporley. |
Mon am - Dr Griffin Tue am - Dr Taylor Mon pm and Thurs am - Practice Nurses |
| Well Person Check (male & female patients) | A health check up, which will include taking your blood pressure, BMI, urine testing and information on your family history. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive information about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. | Clinic runs every Friday between 3-5 pm, by appointment only. |
| Antenatal Care | All of your Doctors are qualified to give maternity medical services. Antenatal care is shared between the Doctors and the Midwives. Please inform your Doctor as soon as possible if you think you may be pregnant. |
Doctors - No set time, during surgery hours Midwife - Wednesday 1.30-4.00pm, by apppointment.
|
| Travel Clinic | We have a Travel Health and Vaccines Specialist Nurse who holds a clinic with us once a week. She offers advice on all aspects of travel health and a full range of both NHS and private travel vaccinations. Travel health goods and anti-malarials can also be purchased from the travel clinic. It's never too early to plan for your holiday vaccinations so book your pre-travel consultation as soon as you pencil those holiday dates in your diary. For further information you can visit her website www.travelfit.co.uk. A list of vaccine charges is displayed in the waiting room. | Our travel clinic is open to both practice registered and private patients every Friday between 2.00-5.00 pm (strictly by appointment only booked through reception). |
| Chronic diseases including asthma, diabetes, CHD, COPD | Regular check-ups and advice from our practice nurses on lifestyle including smoking, medication, alcohol, exercise and diet. For asthma and COPD advice on inhaler techniques. | No set time - during surgery hours. |
| Immunisations |
The childhood immunisation clinic is rung alongside the baby/drop in clinic and is conducted by our Practice Nurse. The Health Visitor is available to provide information, advice and support and answer any queries around immunisations for the under 5 year olds. We also run annual flu vaccination clinics for the over 65's and those with chronic diseases. |
Childhood immunisations are held on the first and third Tuesday every month.
Flu clinics are held during October and November - ask at reception for details. |
| Baby / Drop-In Clinic | The Health Visitor runs a "weaning talk" before the baby clinic. All Mums are welcome to attend this drop-in session held in the clinic room by the Health Visitors office. For details of other clinics held in other local areas please contact the Health Visitor on 01829 733686. |
Held on the first Tuesday of every month 12.30-1.30 pm
|
| Smoking Cessation Clinics | Our Health Care Assistant is able to provide help and support if you wish to stop smoking. |
No set time - during surgery hours |
| Minor Surgery | Minor surgical procedures are carried out at clinics held at Tarporley Cottage Hospital. In the first instance you will need to make an appointment at the surgery to discuss this with a doctor. |
Dr Gleek - Wednesday am |
| Blood Tests | Bloods are taken by our Phlebotomist by appointment only. Please telephone the surgery for an appointment. | Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. |
| Leg Ulcer & Doppler Clinic | Held by the District Nurses. You can contact them directly on 01829 733193. |
Doppler Clinic - Tuesday afternoon Leg Ulcer Clinic - Wednesday morning |
Repeat Prescriptions
Dedicated Fax Line: 01829 732244
Email: tarporley.repeatscripts2@nhs.net
If you are on long term medication, you may be able to have a repeat prescription without seeing a Doctor. Tick the medication you require on your order form and post to us - if you need your prescription posting back to you please enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Alternatively you can also fax your request to the above number, email to the above address or post in the box in reception. Whichever way you order please bear in mind the following:
- Please give two working days notice for your request.
- Patients wishing to leave their order forms at the Kelsall or Tarvin pharmacies may do so.
- Please remember to state on your order form if you wish to collect your prescribed medication from the pharmacy in Kelsall, Tarporley, or Tarvin, or to collect it from the surgery.
- If you are posting your repeat prescription request please ensure the envlope is clearly marked "Repeat Prescriptions"
*The repeat prescription email address is only to be used for ordering repeat prescriptions. Please DO NOT use this email address for any other matter. If there is something you wish to discuss please ring the surgery where your call will be dealt with.*
We are keen to ensure that patients with ongoing medical problems are monitored regularly. Patients taking regular medication for kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes for example should be reviewed twice yearly or at least annually. We have an information sheet for patients who have long standing medical conditions or who are taking regular medication. If the date for your next review with a doctor or nurse has passed you will be asked to make an appointment.
We also have a Medicine Manager, who is a designated member of staff responsible for dealing with prescription and medication queries. Please note she cannot take repeat prescription requests over the telephone and all requests for repeat medication should be made as above.
Sick Certificates
You only need a doctor’s note if you are unable to work and are ill for longer than seven calendar days. Your employer will provide you with an SC2 self-certificate form for shorter periods of illness.
Test Results
When you have undergone any tests or investigations you are required to phone in for the results taking into account the following:
- Please allow 3 working days for urine results and 1 week for routine blood results to be available.
- Please ring the surgery for the results between 12.30pm and 3.00pm Monday to Friday.
- To maintain patient confidentiality, we only release results to the patient, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in writing.
Non-NHS Services
The NHS does not pay for some of the services provided by your Doctor. Fees are charged for this work as recommended by the British Medical Association. These include private sick notes, accident or sickness insurance forms, holiday cancellation forms, private healthcare claim forms, medicals for HGV, sports, driving etc, fitness to travel certificates, private prescriptions and some vaccination services. We charge the lowest recommended fee and a list of charges can be found in the surgery waiting room. Please note, when a Doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, the Doctor needs to check the patient's entire medical record to ensure that they are providing accurate information. Doctors will not be able to complete forms same day, so please ensure that you give them reasonable notice.
