Appointments

Ring the surgery number for Carden Place 08453376330. We now have an automated system that will help direct your call, and of course you will know where you are in the queue. Don’t Hang up, Hang on!

Consulting times are Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm.

You may consult with any doctor although it is clearly helpful to continuity of care if you try and see the same doctor for any ongoing problem.

Please give your full name and address and indicate if there are similar names in your household. This will make the search for your notes easier and ensure that the doctor has them when you consult.

Telephone Advice

All of the doctors are happy to speak on the phone with patients. Please ask the receptionist for details.

Sit & Wait Surgery

We are also piloting a Sit & Wait surgery on Mondays and on other days through the week when demand merits. Please note that you cannot just turn up, you still need to call the surgery as there may still be appointments available to book and we also need to know who is attending and if possible a brief idea as to the nature of the condition. It is not possible to know which doctor will see you.

Ante-natal clinics are held at the surgery by the Midwife. As soon as the pregnancy is confirmed, you should arrange a first ante-natal appointment with the Midwife.

How to help your doctor

There will always be a doctor available to help you in an emergency, but do think twice before contacting your doctor outside normal surgery hours.

• If a problem develops during the day, make an appointment while the surgery is open.
• If you can, contact the surgery as early as possible (8:00am - 10:30am), this will help your doctor plan his day in the best interests of all patients.
• Do be prepared to take time off work to see your doctor if necessary
• Help your doctor's surgery by making separate appointments for each member of your family who needs to be seen

• If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify the surgery as soon as possible, as this appointment can then be re-allocated.

Before you see your doctor

Before you see your doctor it is advisable to think about what you want to say or ask. Write it down on a piece of paper and take it along. Do remember that your doctor's time is limited perhaps only to 5-10 minutes. Below are some points that you should think about before your visit:

• What is the most important reason for the visit?
• How long have you had the complaint, or when did it begin to get worse?
• Which medicines are you taking? Write down the names or take them along with you. This also means remedies which you might have bought yourself from a pharmacy or chemist, such as painkillers, laxatives, herbal remedies, etc...
• If you believe that your complaint or complaints could be linked to any medicines, do not hesitate to tell your doctor. If you believe that your complaint could be linked to earlier illnesses or disorders, tell your doctor. If you believe that you know a possible cause, say that too.

Home Visits

For home visits, please ring the appropriate surgery before 10.00am each week day but please remember that home visits are time consuming, particularly in today’s traffic conditions and the doctor can see, on average, 6 to 8 patients in the surgery in the time required for 2 or 3 house calls.

If you think you can manage along to the surgery, please do so, as there the doctor has all the support needed to treat you.

Please give as much information as possible when requesting a home visit.

The doctor is allowed to weigh up carefully whether you need to be seen and if so, where and when and may therefore telephone before agreeing to a home visit.

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)

Teaching Pratice

This practice encourages good clinical practice and thus supports undergraduate, postgraduate and Offshore Medic teaching. A few of the doctors hold part time posts as Lecturers in Aberdeen University Department of General Practice and Primary Care. Consequently you may find a senior medical student or offshore medic with the doctor at your consultation.

Please remember you have the right to decline if you wish.