One appointment, one problem!

A standard doctors appointment is 10 minutes in duration, which is just about enough time to deal with one problem. We will therefore not be able to help you with any other issues that you may bring up during the consultation as sufficient time has not been allocated. Please advise the receptionist at the time of booking if you require a longer appointment. Thank you for your cooperation.

Lateness

Patients who arrive for their face to face appointment more than 10 minutes late may be asked to re-book their appointment. The doctor, nurse practitioner or nurse is under no obligation to see patients who arrive late for their appointment and it is at their discretion.

Telephone appointments

GP appointments from home can save you time and mean you don't have to go out if you are feeling under the weather. Where appropriate, patients be offered this kind of appointment. If you have a telephone appointment booked, the doctor will make two attempts to contact you. If we are unable to make contact after two attempts, you will need to phone the practice to re-book. Missed calls most likely will not be re-booked on the same day and you may have to call back at a later date to make an appointment if we are fully booked.

Enhanced access

In addition to our normal opening hours we also offer appointments in the early morning, evenings and on Saturdays. We are working with our neighbouring GP practices to offer these additional appointments. Please contact the practice in the usual way by phone or complete an eConsult to make an appointment.

You may be offered an appoitnment at one of the following locations:

• Queen Mary's Hospital, Frognal Ave, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6LT
• Northumberland Health Medical Centre, Hind Cres, Erith, Kent, DA8 3DB
• Sidcup Medical Centre (Burnt Oak Lane), 231 Burn Oak Ln, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9BQ
• Woodlands Primary Care, 146 Halfway St, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 8DF
• Barnard Medical Group, 43 Granville Rd, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 4TA

Home visits

Home visits are for the housebound or for those whose illness itself prevents them from attending the practice. Home visits will only be carried out if the doctor feels it is necessary to do so. If you would like to request a home visit, please try to call the practice between 08:00am - 10:00am so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

Been off work?

You do not require a doctors sickness certificate for any illness lasting 7 days or less. However your employer may require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

If you are sick for more than 7 days, your employer may ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (Statutory Sick Pay). It is then up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work.

A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work' 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. 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.

The 'Statement of Fitness for Work' was introduced in April 2010 across England, Wales and Scotland. Doctors issue fit notes to provide evidence of the advice given and record the details of the effects of their patient's condition so that the patient and employer can make appropriate arrangements to help them return to work.