Appointments

All our surgeries are run by an appointment only system.  Appointments can be booked online or contact us via patchs, call into the surgery or by phoning our main switchboard number 0113 2570711.  The busiest time for booking appointments is at 08:00 so we suggest you avoid ringing at this time for routine appointments. 

We offer pre-bookable appointments up to 2 weeks in advance where available. We do try to make sure you see the doctor of your choice.  However, if they are not available you may be asked to see another doctor.

For emergency same day appointments please try and contact us in the morning as we can offer more flexibility.  In this situation you must make your request clear to the receptionist but be prepared to see any doctor.  We also offer booked telephone appointments with the doctors. 

Our patients can now book GP appointments on Saturdays when you will be seen at The Gables Surgery between 9am and 5pm.  Please ask our reception staff to find out more.

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many conditions and you may be seen more quickly. Remember, the nurse always has the option of referring you to the doctor for further care if she considers it necessary.

If you arrive late 

If you arrive late for your appointment we will be unable to see you.  Please rebook a further appointment.  

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.

Working closely with the local West Leeds Primary Care Network, a member of their team may also visit you at the request of our doctors.

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)

Non-emergency hospital visits

If you're going to hospital for non-emergency tests or treatment, you'll normally be expected to make your own way there.

Try to get a friend or relative to take you to hospital and collect you after you've been discharged. Hospital parking may be expensive or limited, and you may not be able to leave your car there overnight.

Non-emergency patient transport services

Some people are eligible for non-emergency patient transport services (PTS). These services provide free transport to and from hospital for people who have a medical need for it.

Your GP or the healthcare professional who referred you to hospital can discuss with you whether you have a medical need for transport.

Patient transport services may not be available in all areas.

Refunds of hospital transport costs

You may be able to claim a refund for the cost of transport to hospital or other NHS premises through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) if you:

• are not eligible for PTS

• cannot meet the cost of travelling to hospital

• cannot get a friend or relative to take you

There are conditions you must meet to be eligible for a refund under this scheme. For more information, see www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Travelcosts.aspx