Appointments

When you register at Westcroft Health Centre you are registered with the practice, however, there will be a named partner on your medical records who will deal with any correspondence, results and requests for prescriptions.  You are, however, free to consult with any GP or practice nurse.

Please do not take offence if a member of staff asks you to give an indication of the purpose of the appointment when booking an appointment, this is to allow sufficient time to be allocated for your needs and ensure that you are booked with the right clinician to deal with your problem.

View the usual GP Consulting Times

In addition the GP’s hold clinics for Minor Operations, Post natal, Baby checks, Joint Injections, IUCD fitting and Implanon fitting. 

We have introduced the MJOG text service to remind patients, 24 hours ahead, of their booked appointment at Westcroft Health Centre.

GP Consultations are by appointment only  

Westcroft Health Centre operates a 10 minute appointment system for routine consultations that can be booked 8 weeks in advance.  We also offer telephone consultations with a GP.  The practice provides a Duty Dr each day who offers 5 minute urgent consultations, for one problem, that the patient deems must be dealt with that day.

Late arrival for appointment

If you are more than 5 minutes late for your appointment you will NOT be seen by the GP or nurse you will be asked to rebook your appointment. If you are up to 5mins late you may be seen for 5 mins only. Late arrival for appointments over the day can result in surgeries running late and cause inconvenience to others.

Check In On Arrival

Please use the self-check-in screen, on your left as you enter the premises, this will save queuing at the reception desk and immediately indicates that you have arrived for your appointment.

The practice uses an electronic calling system, please note the television screen in the waiting room where you will find current health information. You will be called to your appointment, over a tannoy, and your name will appear on the television screen advising which consulting room to go to.

Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 10:00 if you require a home visit.

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.

You can 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)