Getting help for you and your family

We operate a phone first appointment system.

All patient generated requests for a consultation with a doctor are triaged by a clinician.

Requests for a consultation can be made by telephoning reception from 9am Monday to Friday. Requests are accepted until capacity for the day has been reached. Thereafter only urgent requests will be dealt with. This daily limit ensures patients are dealt with in a safe and timely manner.

Please ensure you give your preferred contact number to the receptionist on each occasion.

There are just three steps to follow

1. You phone the surgery

All our doctors are qualified to help but, if you want a particular doctor, please call on a day they are working, if you know it. We will do our best to facilitate this, but it may not always be the possible.

2. The doctor calls you back

A doctor will call you back on the day you contact us, but it may take some time.

You will be seen if that is needed. If you just need advice on a health problem or medication you can also speak to a doctor.

3. You are always offered an appointment to see one of our GPs if needed

Generally on the same day, there is no need to book in advance

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly.

To make an appointment for the treatment room nurse you can telephone 028 867 37243

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

Requests for a home visit are triaged by a doctor. Please speak to a receptionist as close to 9am as possible and request a telephone consultation. 

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.

You can 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.

Training Practice

We are a training practice for GP specialist  trainees.  A GP trainee is a fully qualified doctor who wishes to specialise in general practice and is able to see and treat all patients. However, the trainer will always be available for consultation.  

We are also involved in training medical students, from both Queen's and Ulster University, who will be attached to the practice for extended periods throughout the year.  Please accept them as part of the team and understand that you will be helping them in their training.  If you prefer to see us alone, please ask.

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)