Appointments

We offer a daily triage* system to ensure patients with the greatest needs are given the highest priority.  All telephone calls are initially answered by our reception staff who log the call.  Patients requesting an urgent on-the-day appointment are contacted by the doctor or nurse on triage duty that morning within a very short time of the call.   They discuss the problem with you and together you agree an appropriate appointment.   

Any request for a child under the age of 5 years is automatically given an appointment by the receptionist taking the request, bypassing the triage system.

* Triage means to establish priority of need.

Alternatively, patients wishing to be seen routinely (non-urgent basis) and with a particular doctor can pre-book up to two weeks in advance for doctors and four weeks in advance with the nurses.

We are open from 08:00 every weekday morning and close at 18:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We extend the closing times on Tuesdays and Thursdays to 20:00 and one in three Fridays to 20.00 to provide convenient additional doctor and nurse pre-bookable appointments for those who cannot come to the surgery during the day.   We do not close at lunchtime as we are aware that many patients work and this is the only time they can conveniently contact us.   We also offer early phlebotomy services from 7.00am for those who work.   Weekend GP-led clinics are also available within the "Three Harbours" rota - in Lostwithiel we have extended these to include nurse-led vaccination clinics, minor operations and chronic disease reviews;  again these are helpful services for those patient who work during the week but also provides additional clinical time previously limited by the size of our practice premises.

There is a national edict that we offer routine appointments that can be booked on-line.   It has been suggested that this discriminates against patients who do not have access to computers and for this very reason we have limited these appointments.   If not booked 24 hours beforehand the slots are released for in-house bookings.  

Booking online is done through our clinical system, not via this website.  If you would like to register for this service please go to www.patientaccess.com.

Telephone Advice

Telephone advice is always available, please contact reception on 01208 872589 and ask to be added to the telephone list of the person you would like to talk to

Routine advice can also be requested via e-Consult if this is more convenient for patients

Nurse Practitioner and Practice Nurse

An appointment with one of our nurses may be appropriate.   Our nurse practitioner has particular experience and skills for managing chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes and can prescribe a range of medications including antibiotics.   Our practice nurses also have particular experience and skills with cervical cytology, immunizations and vaccinations for children as well as wound care with one having a particular interest in continence and another in chronic heart disease management.    All are qualified to deal with many minor ailments and you may be seen more quickly if these services are needed.   If in doubt the receptionist will be able to help you decide

Training Practice

Please note we are an accredited training practice and will therefore have GP Registrars and medical students with us from time-to-time.   Part of their training will include sitting in on consultations but patients will be given notice and can decline this if they so wish

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please let us know as possible;  the time can be given to someone else in need : help us to help you