HOW DO I...
REGISTER WITH THE PRACTICE?

We will register anyone living within our practice boundary. Maps of the practice boundaries are displayed in the surgery waiting rooms. As no-one is automatically registered with a surgery, it is important that both you and all members of your household register at the same time. We recognise the important role of carers in looking after dependent relatives; please make it known if you are caring for someone.

Who Will Be My Doctor?

When you register we will confirm with you which of our three surgeries is the most appropriate for you to attend.

You may choose to see any of the doctors at your registered surgery. However, for continuity of care, we would encourage you to consult the same doctor as far as possible.

Your First Appointment

When you register with the practice you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire (one for each member of your household), and you will also be asked to come to a ‘new patient appointment’ with a nurse or healthcare assistant. This 10 minute appointment is part of your registration and introduces you to the practice. This is an excellent opportunity to have a routine health check and will also provide the surgery with some details of your medical background.

HOW DO I...
CHANGE MY DETAILS ?

If you move within the practice area or if you change your telephone number, please inform us as soon as possible. Please also let us know if you change your name. If you move outside the practice boundary, the Thames Valley Primary Care Agency (Telephone 0118 918 3333) will be pleased to give you details of surgeries in your new area.

HOW DO I...
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ?

Appointments to see members of the health care team should be made by telephoning our call centre on 08444 773 005. When you book, you will be asked to give a brief idea of the nature of your appointment to enable us to direct you to the most appropriate member of the health care team.

Telephone Consultations: As well as face-to-face appointments, we also have a system of telephone consultations, which enable the doctors and nurses to help you with some queries or problems without your having to attend the surgery. The receptionist will take your name, a contact number and a brief message, and the doctor or nurse will then call you back.

NB: Please ensure you are available to receive the call!
Please be aware that we will not be able to return your call if the number given bars anonymised calls.

Surgery Consultations: All surgeries and clinics have an appointments system and consulting times at your surgery are given in the inserted sheet. Appointments are usually 10 minutes long. Please remember to make an appointment for each person who needs to be seen. If you cannot keep an appointment, please let us know as soon as you can so that we can give the appointment to someone else.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN A HOME VISIT ?

If someone is too ill to attend the surgery, a home visit by a doctor or district nurse can be arranged. Please phone the surgery, before 11.00am if possible, to request a visit.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TEST RESULTS ?

Please remember if you have a blood test or other investigation, it is your responsibility to enquire about the result.
Patients should phone the Practice for test results. The call centre is open 8.30am - 12.30pm and 2.00pm - 5.00pm. The time interval before telephoning for results is:

The doctor will advise you if the interval is significantly different. To maintain confidentiality, results will only be given to patients in person or to parents if the patient is under 16. For patients who are incapable of ringing for their own results, signed consent for someone to ring on their behalf can be pre-arranged with the GP.

HOW DO I...
MAKE A COMMENT/COMPLAINT ?

We welcome comments and constructive suggestions to help us improve the service. If you have any comments, or if you have experienced problems, we would encourage you to speak to a member of the practice team. If you prefer to write down your comments, forms are available in each of the waiting rooms, or you can write to the general manager, or their deputy, at Brookside surgery.