Surgery Times
Out Of Hours Emergencies
We will do everything possible to ensure that our system for contacting
the duty doctor is easy to follow, reliable and effective.
Telephone Bournemouth 0844 477 3490. You will hear a recorded message giving
you a number of choices. Numbers given will be repeated for your convenience. You
will then need to note and redial direct to either of the emergency services:
NHS Direct (0845 4647) or Urgent Care Service Dorset and Somerset (UCSDS), supplied
by Dorset Ambulance NHS Trust, on 0845 600 1013. If you are able to travel, you
will be asked to attend the treatment centre at Royal Bournemouth Hospital,
or possibly Poole General.
You will be asked by the receptionist for the name of the doctor you are calling,
your name, address and telephone number and a brief description of your problem.
Your call will be recorded. Please remember that the duty doctor will normally
be providing his usual service the next day. Your discretion in using UCSDS for
problems that cannot wait until the morning is therefore much appreciated. In
the case of an accident which you think may require immediate hospital treatment,
the nearest casualty departments are at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, telephone
303626, and Poole General Hospital, telephone 665511.
Alternatively, for general medical queries or health advice, the NHS Direct 24-hour
nurse-led advice line is available by phoning 0845 4647, or logging on to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Please note that under the terms of the General Medical Services Contract
(GMS), the Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust has assumed responsibility
for the provision of out-of-hours services to our patients. This includes
emergency Saturday morning surgery provision. There is no change to the NHS Direct
advice line. However, it is anticipated that this service will develop over time
through the increasing use of technology.
You should attend the Accident & Emergency Department of your local hospital or dial 999.
The definition of an emergency is a critical or life-threatening situation, and includes things like: chest pain or suspected heart attack, head injury, severe blood loss, severe breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, deep wounds and suspected broken bones.
NHS Direct is available 24/7 on 0845 46 47
The Practice Extended Opening Hours
Please note extended Opening Hours appointments are primarily provided for those patients who work and find it more difficult to attend during normal office hours.
This surgery now offers late evening and early morning additional sessions for pre-booked routine appointments. To book any of these appointments by telephone, call the surgery between Monday and Friday, 8.00am - 6.30pm. During weekdays, after 6.30pm until 8.00am the next morning, and throughout the weekend, all calls will still be directed to the Out of Hours Service.
These sessions are held at the following times:
Tuersday: St Leonard's Road Surgery: 7.00 - 8:00am
Thursday: Gervis Road Surgery: 6:30 - 8:10pm
Home visits and urgent health problems will continue to be dealt with by the Out of Hours Service whose telephone number is 0845 600 1013.
Please remember we do not operate a walk-in service.
Please note Extended Opening Hours appointments are primarily provided for those patients who work and find it more difficult to attend during normal office hours.
Access To The Surgery
Our premises are suitable for wheelchair access on the ground floors.
Please ask the staff for assistance if you are disabled. Similarly, if you have
visual or hearing difficulties please let the reception staff know so that appropriate
arrangements can be made for your comfort. Within the limitations of the current
buildings we have made as many reasonable modifications as practicable to meet
the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Waiting Times
Surgeries will normally start on time and we will endeavour to enable patients
to be seen within 20 minutes of their appointment time; in the event of a delay
we will offer an explanation.
When a doctor is called away on an emergency we will inform the patients and
give them an opportunity to book an alternative appointment or, if
preferred, to be seen by another doctor.
Due to the nature of primary care the doctors will sometimes be presented by patients with unforeseen and difficult problems. They will not run late by choice but at times this may be unavoidable for which we apologise in advance.
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