Appointments

We offer both advance booking for the next 2 weeks for your convenience and same day appointments if you feel you need to be seen urgently. We try to accommodate your choice of doctor when possible, however, this cannot always be guaranteed. 

Please make a separate appointment for each person wishing to see the doctor.

If you cannot attend, let us know as soon as possible as, even with short notice, we can usually allocate your appointment to someone else.

We would like to remind you that each appointment is for ONE PERSON and for 10 MINUTES with the GP, in line with NHS recommendations. Where possible we would ask all our patients to try and keep within this alloted time. The best way you can help us do this is to bring ONE PROBLEM at a time. If you feel you need longer with your GP, please let the receptionist know when you are booking your appointment & they will try to arrange an additional date.It is important for all patients to adhere to the 10 minute appointment time as it avoids patients waiting longer than necessary to be called.We really appreciate your support with this as it is helping us to help you.

It is better to be seen in the mornings, if possible, especially if you need blood tests to go to the laboratory.

Online Appointments

We now offer an online booking system through 'Patient Access'. This allows you to book an appointment out of the surgery's normal opening hours. It is easy to use and you may use this service via the link at the top of this page. (Not available at present)

In order to use this service you can simply sign up via the link or, drop into the surgery where a letter will be posted which includes information on how to use this service and your new log-in details.   

Treatment Room

A Doctor may request for you to have a blood test done. The receptionist will book an appointment with one of our experienced nursing staff. It is important to note that a lab collection is carried out everyday. For this reason we ask that blood tests be carried out before 15:00. 

*Under certain circumstances a patient may be allowed to deliver their blood samples to the Mid Ulster Hospital after 15:00.

Practice Nurse

It might be worth considering an appointment with the Practice Nurse rather than the Doctor on certain occasions. Our Practice Nurses are qualified to deal with family planning, healthy living advice, blood pressure checks, cervical smears and smoking sensation help; as well as asthma and diabetic reviews.

Chaperones 

If you require an examination of a more "sensitive nature" the doctor may ask if you would like a nurse present. This is to protect both you and the doctor. You are more than welcome to bring with you a relative or friend to sit with you throughout your appointment.

GP Training

Moneymore Medical Centre is a medical school teaching practice.

Throughout the year we allow trainee Doctors to sit in with our quaified GP's during routine appointments. This is a shadowing programme to allow them to 'watch and learn'. On occasion the trainnee may be asked to assess you first, with the GP present, before your normal consultation begins.

We will always ask if you agree to the trainee GP being present and you can always opt out if you so wish, however if you decide to allow the trainee GP to examine you please do not be embarrassed.  If you feel uncomfortable at any time do not hesitate to speak up.

Telephone Advice

Our practice now includes a practice pharmacist in addition to our GPs, nurses & admin staff. An appointment to see, speak to or to request a home visit with a GP may not be the best way to effectively deal with your problem. Therefore, to direct your call to the most appropriate service, we ask our receptionists to take some brief information about why you're calling us. Thank you for your help with this. Please be assured practice patient confidentiality is our priority. 

However, if you feel that you need to speak to a Doctor the receptionist will take your name and number. The receptionist may ask for information regarding the nature of your call. This is simply to inform the Doctor. A Doctor will return your call at their earliest convenience which may be at the end of the surgery day.

Please be aware that during consultation hours, unless it is an emergency, the Doctors would prefer not to be interrupted. This is to prevent disruption during a patient's appointment.

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 11:00.

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.

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.

If you have recently had a baby, or have recently registered with the practice and have a child under the age of five, a health vistor may visit you at home.

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)

DNA Policy

DNA'S have an enormous impact on the service you receive at the practice, and can result in creating longer waiting times for other patients.

In an attempt to try and resolve the number of patients failing to attend their appointment the practice has developed the following policy:-

If you fail to attend for 3 consecutive appointments, without informing us, we may contact you asking if there are any specific problems preventing you from letting us know.

If you fail to attend for a further appointment you may be removed from the practice list and have to find an alternative GP practice.