Botesdale Health Centre

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eConsult

Fill out a simple online form to get advice and treatment by the end of the next working day.

Book an Appointment

It is easier and quicker to manage appointments and request repeat prescriptions via our online service. Simply log in and select an option.

When ordering drugs, please allow five working days (not counting weekends and bank holidays) before collection. If you are new to this service please ask at Reception for your unique PIN to access it.

NHS App

Download the NHS App, or open the NHS website in a web browser, to set up and log in to your NHS account. Owned and run by the NHS, your NHS account is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services online, including appointments, prescriptions and health record.

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NHS App

Appointments

Currently appointments are all being triaged. This means that when you call and explain to a Care Navigator what your problem is, they will navigate your request to the relevant clinician.

Please call 01379 898295, option 3 to talk to a Care Navigator to arrange a consultation.

Care Navigators are members of our Reception Team who have been trained and instructed to direct you to the most appropriate healthcare professional or service by asking you for the nature of your problem when you call.  You do not need to specify full details but something as simple as “knee problem” or “low mood” will suffice.  If the problem is more of a sensitive issue and you would rather not say then please just say “Womens’/Mens’ Health”.  Effective care navigation improves timeframe of appointment and the overall care experience for patients as well as increasing GP capacity.

For Home Visit requests, please call 01379 898295, option 4.

Can another Healthcare Professional help?

For real life-threatening emergencies such as those below – RING 999

  • Chest pain (suspected heart attack)
  • Suspected stroke
  • Suspected meningitis
  • Anaphylactic shock (severe allergy)
  • Heavy bleeding or deep lacerations
  • Fluctuating levels of consciousness or completely unconscious
  • Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing with a change in colour
  • New seizure, fit or uncontrollable shaking

For immediately serious conditions such as the following, GO TO Emergency Department (A&E) IMMEDIATELY

  • A fever and lethargic (drowsy) child
  • A feverish and floppy (unresponsive) infant
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sudden, severe abdominal pain
  • Accidental or intentional overdose of medication
  • Trauma (including falls) and possible broken bones or road traffic accident

Do you need to see the GP?
Sometimes the GP is not the most appropriate Healthcare Professional to deal with your ailment. Please see the information on see a Doctor or Healthcare Professional, which might help you decide whether a GP appointment is truly necessary or whether it might be better for you to see a Pharmacist, Optician, Dentist or other Healthcare Professional. You can even self-refer for some services without seeing your GP.

Your appointment at the Practice

  • Sick children – Children will always be seen as soon as possible if you ring the surgery to make an appointment. When you arrive please tell the receptionist so that the child can go straight to a side room if necessary
  • Please make one appointment for each member of the family who needs to be seen
  • We try to keep to time but please be patient if someone before you takes longer than planned
  • Appointments are normally ten minute slots, so if you have a complicated problem please ask for a longer appointment
  • If you have more than one problem, we ask that you please book one appointment per problem.
  • It is Practice Policy to allow patients to choose whichever Doctor they wish to attend in the Practice

Please help us

If you are not able to attend your appointment please let us know in time so that the time can be used for someone else. If you are more than 15 minutes late for an appointment you may be asked to re-book.

Additional information

If you have a suspected infectious disease

Please inform reception if you suspect an infectious disease, as this will enable us to deal with it appropriately during your visit to protect you, other patients and staff. 

Giving Consent for Treatment

You have the right to accept or refuse treatment that is offered to you, and not to be given any physical examination or treatment unless you have given valid consent. If you do not have the capacity to do so, consent must be obtained from a person legally able to act on your behalf, or the treatment must be in your best interests.

Your valid consent (agreement to the course of action) is needed for the treatment that’s offered to you before any physical examinations or treatment can be given. If you haven’t given your consent, you can accept or refuse treatment that’s offered to you.

It’s important to be involved in decisions about your treatment and to be given information to help you choose the right treatment. When making treatment choices, you’ll often discuss the options with your doctor or another healthcare professional.

Practice Consultation Times

Doctors

Monday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Tuesday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Thursday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Friday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Saturday*7:50am – 12:00 noonN/A

*Saturday morning Surgery is rotated between the 8 GPs for pre-booked appointments only. These appointments are for patients who cannot make it to the surgery during our usual working hours from Monday to Friday.

Nurses

Monday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Tuesday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Thursday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm
Friday8:30am – 12:30pm2:30pm – 6:00pm

Blood Tests

Blood Tests are taken Mon-Fri Mornings, except Wednesday. We also have designated Blood Test Only Clinics held by our Health Care Assistant Sue.

Tuesday8:10am – 11:30am
Friday8:10am – 11:40am