ABOUT THE PRACTICE
Working as a team from the centre of llchester we aim to provide comprehensive health care to all our patients. Dr Arathoon and Dr Dennis are a husband and wife team who 'Job share". In addition to general medical services the practice offers many other services and these include: general practitioner maternity care, child health surveillance, full contraceptive services and minor surgery. There are full access and facilities for the disabled.
REGISTERING WITH THE PRACTICE
If you have your medical card simply bring it to the surgery - otherwise tell the Receptionists and they will give you a form to complete. We ask you to fill in a short health questionnaire and offer you an appointment with the Practice Nurse or Health Care Assistant usually within two weeks. This is to discuss any ongoing health issues, medication etc.
APPOINTMENT SYSTEM
All visits to the doctor or nurse are by appointment only. If your problem is URGENT then you should say so and we will try and fit you in as soon as possible. However we are not an emergency service so depending on the nature of your problem, you may be directed to call 999 ot attend the Accident & Emergency Department at Yeovil District Hospital.
CANCELLING AN APPOINTMENT OR RUNNING LATE
Please help us by being punctual and we in turn will try not to run late! If you need to cancel an appointment, please let us know well in advance. Appointments cancelled at short notice cannot be offered to other patients. Those patients who persistently fail to attend without adequate notice or reason may be asked to re-register with another practice.
TEST RESULTS
We would ask if patients could please ring the surgery after 9.30am for any results.
OUT OF HOURS COVER
Out of hours cover is provided by the Primary Care Trust and not the doctors in this Practice. If you need to call the Out of Hours Service (when the surgery is closed), please ring the surgery on 01935-840207. You will be connected to an answer machine. Please have a piece of paper and pen to hand. Alternatively you can ring the Somerset Out of Hours medical service on 0845-408-8000. Please note that calls to emergency doctors may be recorded.
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
Requests should be made preferably using the repeat prescribing slip which you will normally receive with your prescription. This may be left at Reception or outside of surgery opening hours, posted through the surgery door. If sending by Royal Mail, please address request to the Reception Staff. We would ask patients to phone after 9.30am when requesting repeat prescriptions. Please allow 48 hours notice for collecting your prescription. Unless stated otherwise, prescriptions are sent from the surgery to the Ilchester Pharmacy for dispensing. If you wish to collect your prescription from the Surgery, please make this known to the reception staff. If you wish your prescription to be sent to you, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.
FOREIGN TRAVEL AND IMMUNISATIONS
If you are planning to travel abroad please contact the surgery well in advance of your departure date for advice on an immunisation programme.
THIS SHOULD BE AT LEAST 6-8 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR DATE OF TRAVEL. If you contact the surgery 3 weeks or less before travelling and require immunisations, please note that you will NOT be fully immune to the infections/diseases you are being vaccinated against. Please note there will be a charge for some travel vaccines.