Appointments 

https://bryantstreetmedicalcentre.webgp.com/

The doctor will see you in surgery by appointment which can be made by calling at the medical centre or telephone 848911 during surgery hours. Each appointment is for one person only.

Appointment slots are booked for 10 minutes, if you feel you have more than one problem to discuss with the doctor, please ask the receptionist to book you a double appointment.

Telephone Advice

Sometimes you may need advice about a health problem or medication or simply wish to talk to the doctor. Although he may not always be immediately available, the receptionist will arrange a convenient time for you to receive a call back. It is very helpful to let the receptionist know who or what it is concerning so any relevant records can be available for the doctor.

Extended Opening Times

We are now offering extended opening hours on a Monday evening between 18:30 – 20:00 and also on Tuesday morning between 07.30 and 08.30 to allow our patients who find it difficult to attend during normal surgery hours, to be seen by the GP.

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.

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).