TELEPHONE APPOINTMENT BOOKING ONLY

In light of the evolving coronavirus pandemic, and in line with national guidance, Evelyn Medical Centre has moved to a telephone appointment only system.

We apologise for the inconvenience, but this is essential to minimise social contact and ensure the safety of all of our patients and that of our staff.

If you need to speak with a doctor during the COVID19 situation please contact the surgery by phone on 01433 621 557 and our reception team will arrange this for you.

Our phone lines open at 8am.

During the coronavirus pandemic, our staff have been working hard to ensure that all patients who need urgent care – not just those with coronavirus – have been able to get it. To avoid unnecessary contact, some non-urgent appointments and surgeries have been postponed and others delivered differently using technology.

We will continue to ask patients to attend face-to-face services only when it is really necessary, and where it can be done safely without putting our patients, the public or our staff at greater risk of catching coronavirus. Where possible, appointments will continue to be offered using remote services such as a video or phone consultation.

If you feel unwell or have hurt yourself, you can still get the care and treatment you need. It’s vital that if you’re having a potentially life-threatening medical emergency, such as a heart attack, stroke or really bad flare up of asthma, you contact the NHS. 

You might be worrying about a mole that’s changed shape, or grown larger, and think you need to contact your GP.

Everyone in the NHS really appreciates people taking pressure off services for conditions that can be safely managed with over-the-counter medicines, and taken care of at home.

But it is crucial that you do not risk life or wellbeing – if you do need to, you should contact NHS 111 online or by phone, get in touch with your GP, visit an Urgent Treatment Centre, or for emergencies go to A&E or call 999.

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.

Medical Students

At certain times in the year, we accept medical students from the Sheffield Medical School. They join various members of staff in routine clinics and surgeries. If you do not wish them to be present during your consultation, please let us know. We are grateful for your help in supporting the training of the country’s future doctors.

Chaperones

If you wish for a chaperone to be present at your consultation please advise the doctor or nurse, or ask at reception as you arrive. Our practice chaperone policy is on display in the waiting room and on our website.

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.

Missed Appointments

If you no longer need your appointment or are unable to attend, please let the Surgery know so that your appointment can be offered to another patient.  Patients who regularly fail to keep their appointments may be removed from the Practice list.

Weekend & Evening Appointments

You can find information regarding this new service here.

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 01433 621 557 between 08:00 - 11:00. If you telephone after 11:00 we may ask you to speak to a doctor.

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.

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)