How Do I...
Register With The Practice?
We accept patients from Bishop’s Stortford and surrounding areas. In welcoming you to our practice, we suggest that all new patients attend for an initial health review with a practice nurse. Each member of the family will be asked to complete a health questionnaire at registration as it can take months for your notes to arrive from your previous doctor.
How Do I...
Make An Appointment?
Appointments can be made at any reception, by using our on-line facility (please call at reception to register for this service) or by telephoning 01279 657636 from 8.00am. You may make an appointment with any of the doctors. Doctors’ appointments may be booked up to three weeks in advance. There are a number of appointments available for booking 24 hours in advance and also some that are bookable on the same day, subject to availability.
Nurses' appointments may be booked up to two weeks in advance. If you are unable to attend for a booked appointment, please let us know as far in advance as possible. Two doctors and a nurse see patients at the Open Access Surgery at Haymeads Health Centre every weekday morning. Patients simply turn up and book in at reception between 8.30 and 10.00am and will be seen in order of arrival. You will be given an estimated consultation time and can either wait at the surgery or call back later nearer to your appointment time. This is NOT an emergency surgery but is best used for uncomplicated or urgent problems. If your problem is very urgent and there are no free appointments on the day, please attend the open access surgery that morning and you will be seen. If this is not possible the receptionist will put you in touch with the duty doctor. Truly urgent problems will always be dealt with the same day.
How Do I...
Obtain Test Results?
We receive hundreds of investigation results a week and do not routinely contact patients with their results, though we would endeavour to do so if a result was seriously abnormal. We ask that patients always telephone
the surgery for the results of their investigations, preferably after 10.00am. The receptionist will tell you what message the doctor has recorded, she is unable to interpret the results herself. If you do not understand
the doctor's message please ask the receptionist to arrange a telephone call from the doctor or nurse, or book an appointment.
How Do I....
Obtain Telephone Advice?
The doctors and practice nurses are happy to give telephone advice. A good time to phone is midmorning. The receptionist will take your contact number and an indication of the type of problem and the duty doctor or
practice nurse will phone you back.
How Do I....
Obtain A Home Visit?
If you are too ill to come to the surgery please telephone before 10.30am if possible to request a home visit. The receptionist will ask for brief details of the problem and for your telephone number. The duty
doctor may telephone you to discuss the problem and will arrange to visit where appropriate. Home visits are for housebound patients and those genuinely too ill to travel to the surgery. They take a long time. We can see
four or five patients at the surgery in the time it takes to make one call. It is perfectly safe to bring a child with a rash or a temperature to the surgery. Please try to get to the surgery if you can.
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