How Do I...
Make An Appointment?

Consultations with the doctors, the practice nurses and attached health professionals are by appointment only. Appointments can be made either by telephoning your surgery, or by calling at the surgery in person. For routine doctors' appointments, please call reception in good time to enable us to offer you an appointment at a time suitable for you with the doctor of your choice.
Appointments are for 10 minutes and for one person only. If you have a number of problems please make a double appointment. If you cannot keep an appointment, please let us know; a wasted appointment means a longer wait for others.

If you need to be seen urgently, it is helpful if you could tell the receptionist the outline of your problems so that you can be fitted in appropriately. It helps to ring early.

If the doctor refers you for an outpatient appointment this may be booked at a time and date of your choosing before you leave the surgery. This is known as the 'Choose and Book' system. You will be advised how to do this in a letter from the surgery. If you have any problems using the system there is a local helpline on 01553 816246.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
In life-threatening emergencies such as severe bleeding, collapse,
unconsciousness or acute chest pains, please telephone 999
for an ambulance before you call the surgery.

How Do I..
Obtain A Home Visit?

Patients whose illness prevents them from attending the surgery can be visited in their homes. Visits should be arranged by phoning the surgery before 10.00am. Please be ready to give the receptionist your name, address, telephone number, age and brief details of what is wrong.

Please remember that we can see several people at the surgery in the time it takes to do a home visit - so please do not request a visit for convenience or lack of transport.

How Do I..
Obtain Test Results?

Most tests (blood tests, ECG, X-rays, smears) are done either in the surgery, at the Swaffham Community Hospital or at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn.

Please bring samples to the surgery before 11.30am as they are sent to the hospital at 12 noon.

The results of different tests take varying lengths of time to come back. Please telephone reception for results between 2.00 and 4.00pm. To maintain confidentiality, results will only be given to the patient concerned or, if under 16 years, a parent or guardian.