Appointments

Making an Appointment for a Doctor

You can make an appointment by ringing 01324 851288 from 08:30 – 18.00 and speaking to our reception staff.

We also offer emergency and bookable on the day appointments each day if you feel you need to see a doctor and cannot wait until the next available appointment. We ask that you try and contact the surgery as early as possible for these. Please note these appointments are given out in order and times will vary from day to day.

All urgent cases are seen on the day.

Making an Appointment for a Practice Nurse

You can make an appointment for Slamannan or Avonbridge Surgery by ringing 01324 851288 and speaking to our reception staff. We ask where possible if you can let the receptionists know what the appointment is for, as this allows you to be given the appropriate length of time needed.

Telephone Advice

If you need to speak to a doctor or practice nurse without requiring an appointment please contact reception on 01324 851288.  Your details will be booked into a telephone slot.  Once the doctor/nurse has completed their clinic you will be given a call back.  Please take into consideration that clinics can run over and emergencies may arise, therefore we are not able to specify a time.

Call backs are also made by using Practice Mobiles where the caller ID will be withheld.

Interpreters

We can arrange for interpretation and translation services in person or by phone for those patients who do not speak English.  Please let us know when arranging your appointment as we require notice to be able to arrange this.

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 10:00.

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.

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.

The Statement of Fitness for Work - 'Fit Note' is available from the Reception in the Surgery.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)