The Practice North Street
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 Health Care 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 emergency appointment with the doctor if appropriate. Emergency appointments are not for repeat prescriptions, ongoing conditions or the issuing of sick notes.
Registering as a new patient
To register at The Practice North Street please call into reception for a welcome pack and we can advise you of our catchment area.
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. A triage system is in place and you may be asked to speak to the Practice Nurse first.
Teaching and training
We value our staff and provide support through teaching and training this enables us and them to provide the best service for all our patients.
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 10.00am. The doctor will decide if a visit is necessary.
Out of surgery hours
If you think you need to see or speak with a doctor or nurse out of hours call South East Health on 03000 242 424. NHS Direct is a national 24-hour advice help line for all medical problems. Simply call 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk. Other than in an emergency, please use these services before attending the A & E department at the hospital.
Repeat prescriptions
To request repeat medicine, tick the repeat slip as appropriate and deliver, post or fax it to the surgery. Please include a Stamped self address envelop 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 48hrs or two working days. From time to time we require you to see the doctor or the nurse 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 The Practice North Street is not a dispensing practice, however there is an onsite pharmacy within the Boots store.
Results of tests and X-Rays
These are available by telephoning the surgery on 01273 328080 between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. 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.
Disabled access
There is disabled access within the store for access to thepractice.
Parking & directions
The nearest parking to the store is at Churchill Square Car Park. For patients travelling by public transport the nearest bus route is No. 7 stopping at The Clock Tower, Queens Road.
Patient confidentiality
The Practice North Street follows the patient confidentiality policy as outlined by the PCT. If you would like to see a copy of this policy then please ask at reception. Any request for a report or copies of notes requires a signed patient consent form.
Patient behaviour
Physical and verbal aggression towards medical and administrative staff working in the NHS environment unfortunately does occur. This sort of behaviour is not tolerated at The Practice Whitehawk Road.
Change of contact details
If you change any of your contact details please inform the surgery as soon as possible. Our contact details are on the reverse of this leaflet.
Where to go for other local services:
- NHS Direct: Call for advice on 0845 4647 for confidential healthcare advice and information 24 hours a day. You can also visit NHS Direct online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk- Your local pharmacist who is qualified to give you expert advice- Walk-in centres treat minor illnesses and injuries that do not need a visit to A&E. Walk-in centres are open 8am- 8pm, seven days a week including bank holidays. You do not need an appointment and will be seen by an experienced nurse. Your nearest walk-in centre is:
Brighton Station Health Centre Walk in Centre
Aspect House, 84-87 Queens RoadBrighton
East Sussex
BN1 3XE
t. 01273 203058
- Accident and emergency departments: Hospital A&E departments are for serious accidents and emergencies, not minor injuries or health problems. Patients will be prioritised according to the urgency of their case. Your nearest A&E hospital is:
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
East Sussex
BN2 5BE
t. 01273 696955
Complaints, comments and suggestions
At The Practice North Street, we sincerely hope that our patients are happy with the care and advice they receive, and we welcome your views and comments. We hope that you will raise any concerns with our staff at the time they occur. Alternatively, please refer to the patients complaints guidance poster available at reception.
Patients come first
The Practice North Street offers clinical services to NHS patients who need to be sure of the very highest standards. But it's how we do what we do that makes the difference. We aim to deliver genuinely caring and thoughtful patient centred services. From first referral through diagnosis to effective treatment we promise true professionalism. No patient will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition. At The Practice, patients come first.
Translation policy
If you do not understand this document and would like assistance with translation, please speak to a member of reception staff.
