Appointments

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our appointment booking system. We attempt to provide enough readily-available appointments. We know there have been many concerns at the time it an take to get an appointment, and we are always trying to improve the situation.

The Practice depends on its appointment system to allow fair and ready access to our clinics, Doctors and Nurses. The Doctors give 10 minute appointments and we do our best to run on time. Please be patient.

We keep relatively few appointments which are bookable weeks in advance. Instead we "release for booking" every day some appointments which are bookable same day, and one, two or three working days ahead. In this way we hope to provide a range of appointments as flexibly as we can. We do know, however, that we will never be able to satisfy demand.

The appointment system is fully computerised and all appointments are made by calling at reception in person or by telephoning the dedicated appointment number: 01259 750211

There is a Receptionist on duty from 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday. You will be offered an available appointment with the Doctor of your choice. It is not always possible to give an appointment the same day with the Doctor of your choice but each doctor keeps a limited number of 'on the day' appointments which are only bookable that day.

If no appointment is available and you feel you must be dealt with immediately you will be asked to speak to the Duty Doctor of the day who will listen to your problem and decide with you what is the appropriate course of action. This may mean an emergency appointment, a prescription or a routine appointment. Occasionally it is appropriate to arrange a home visit by one of the Doctors working that day. If the Duty doctor is occupied when you call, he or she may have to call you back. Please be patient.

There is often extreme pressure on our appointment system - we are a very busy practice. Please be understanding with our staff who work very hard to help you. We have a big problem with missed appointments. This is one reason for the apparent difficulty you may experience in arranging a suitable appointment.

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MANAGE TO KEEP AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE TELEPHONE IN PLENTY OF TIME TO CANCEL THE APPOINTMENT IN ORDER TO ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO USE THE SLOT. TO CANCEL AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE PHONE 01259 750211 OR YOU CAN CANCEL AN APPOINTMENT BY FILLING OUT THE ONLINE FORM click here

Home Visits

To request a housecall, or in the event of an emergency, telephone 01259 750531.

All requests for home visits are passed to the Duty Doctor of the day who will listen to the nature of the problem and decide with you whether a home visit is necessary. If a home visit is decided upon, it is up to the Duty Doctor of the day to decide who will visit you.

It is not always possible to specify a particular doctor.

It is helpful if requests for home visits are made before 10.00am to allow us to plan our work. In an urgent situation or emergency, telephone the same number 01259 750531.

AFTER 6.00pm UNTIL 8am AND ALL WEEKENDS THE PRACTICE IS CLOSED. If you phone us on 750531, the number will divert automatically towards NHS24.

You can call NHS24 direct on 08454 24 24 24 and you will be able to speak to a Nurse Adviser. NHS Forth Valley have responsibility for arranging Out-of-Hours medical care when the Practice is closed.

Test Results

Results of laboratory tests, xrays and other investigations are received by the Practice in the early afternoon on most weekdays. The results are received in the early afternoon so if you are telephoning for results, please do so AFTER 4.00pm when the phones are quieter!

FOR RESULTS PHONE: 01259 750531

If you phone before 4.00 pm you will be asked to call back later when we have had time to view the day's mail and the Doctors have checked and interpreted the results for you.

Blood tests: most take about 3 days to come back to the Practice, however some take longer, even several weeks. We usually suggest you wait a week before phoning for results to allow us time to receive and consider your results. If a test is required urgently, your doctor may be able to obtain it earlier but this often takes considerable effort and delays other people's results [and other things getting done].

X-rays: if you have been sent for an x-ray, even though you attend the 'open-access' service very quickly, the written result often takes 2-3 weeks to reach us.

We have installed a computerised system for storing letters and results in patient records, known as Docman, which means the Doctors and Nurses can have quicker access to results while you are in surgery and cuts down on paper waste. All results are securely stored.