Cathedral Medical Centre
About the practice
Appointments
Appointments can be made in person or by telephone. When booking an appointment our reception staff will need to ask you a few questions so they can direct you to the most appropriate healthcare professional - this may be a GP, Practice Nurse or Healthcare Assistant. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let the surgery know as soon as possible so that it can be made available for another patient. You have the right to express a preference of GP for booked appointments but it is not always possible to see a preferred GP as they may not hold surgeries every day.
Urgent appointments
Urgent appointments are available for emergencies that need seeing the same day. In a serious emergency call 999 or go straight the nearest A&E department. If you become ill after this time you should contact the surgery and speak to the receptionist explaining the nature of the emergency. You may then need to speak to a nurse who will triage the call and then offer you an urgent appointment with the doctor if appropriate. Urgent appointments are not for repeat prescriptions, on-going conditions or the issuing of sick notes.
Registering as a new patient
To register at Cathedral Medical Centre please call into reception for a welcome pack. Alternatively please see the section on registering as a new patient on where registration forms are available to download. Anyone can register with us if they live within the catchment area. Please speak to reception for details.
Telephone advice
During surgery the doctor has set aside time to deal with enquiries over the telephone. We will ask you to leave your contact number and enquiry in order for the doctor to call you back during the surgery hours.
Out of surgery hours
NHS Direct is a national 24-hour advice help line for all medical problems. Simply call 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk. In an emergency when the surgery is closed simply phone the surgery number and you will be automatically transferred to the Out of Hours service who will assist with your problem. The emergency out of hours service phone number 0330 123 9131. Other than in an emergency, please use this service before attending the A & E department at the hospital.
Home visits
These are for patients who are too frail, severely disabled or confined to bed and are unable to attend the surgery. To request a home visit on the same day, please call the surgery before 11.00am. The doctor will decide if a visit is necessary.
Disabled access
There is disabled access at the surgery.
Parking
Parking is available at the surgery.
Repeat prescriptions
To request repeat medicine, tick the repeat slip as appropriate and deliver, post or fax it to the surgery, alternatively you can order your repeat prescriptions on line, please see the receptionist for your login details and password. Please include a stamped self-addressed envelope if you would like the prescription to be posted back to you. The prescription can be collected from the surgery or be sent to a preferred local chemist, please make this clear when you make your request. The prescription will be ready in 48 hours at the surgery or, if collecting from a pharmacy 72 hours. From time to time we require you to see the doctor for a medication review before a repeat prescription can be issued. This is to ensure that you get the medications that are most appropriate. To check for your medication review date please refer to the repeat slip. Please do not telephone for repeat prescriptions. Please note Cathedral Medical Centre is not a dispensing practice.
Results of tests and X-rays
These are available by telephoning the surgery on 01353 669923. Results of blood tests will usually take one week, X-rays 7 - 10 days and cervical smears up to four weeks. When you telephone you will be advised as to whether there is any action to be taken and if you need to see the doctor again.
Patient confidentiality
Cathedral Medical Centre follows the patient confidentiality policy as outlined by the PCT. We ask for information about you to provide the best possible care and treatment. This information, together with details of your care, is saved to ensure that your doctor or nurse has accurate and up to date data. This information is held on computer or in paper notes. There are times when we have to pass on information about you to other people such as hospitals, Social Services and the Health Authority. This is always done confidentially or by removing your identifying de
