Adelaide Street Family Practice

If you need to speak to a doctor or the practice nurse please phone the surgery at 11.30am or 6.00pm. If the doctor or nurse is available they will be able to speak to you at that time. If they are not available then the receptionist will ask if a message can be passed on, but if you prefer to speak to the doctor/nurse you will be asked to call back in 10 minutes when the clinician should be free. Alternatively, if you have a contact telephone number you can leave these details and you will be called back.

HOW DO I...
Obtain Repeat Prescriptions?

There are certain medications which will not be prescribed without seeing the doctor. If you take medication on a long-term basis you will be given a computerised prescription re-ordering slip. This allows you to re-order repeat medication without seeing the doctor. The repeat prescription slip should be handed into the surgery at least two working days before you require your prescription.

You can, alternatively, post this to us with a stamped addressed envelope, circling the items you require and we will post your repeat prescription back to you. To ensure accuracy and efficiency, routine repeat prescriptions will never be accepted over the telephone.

You can also call in and ask at reception. Your prescription will be available for you to pick up in two working days. Please call into the surgery for your prescription after 2.00pm on the day it is due.

Speak to your pharmacist as they may be able to collect and deliver your prescription to you. Your prescription will normally be ready for collection in 48 hours, ie two full working days after your request is received. Please do not ask the doctor during a consultation or on a home visit for a repeat prescription.

After a specified number of repeats, you may be required to see the doctor or the nurse for a review to ensure that all is well before further prescriptions are issued. Any inconvenience caused by this is regretted, but we feel this policy is essential to good medical practice.

Only emergency prescriptions will be accepted over the telephone:

Adelaide Street 290757 (2.00 - 4.00pm only)
Kentmere Drive 763556 (2.00 - 4.00pm only)

HOW DO I...
Make An Appointment?

Please telephone or call at the surgery you are registered with to arrange a suitable time. We try to ensure that non-urgent appointments are within two working days of request although appointments with a doctor of your choice may take longer. We are sure you will agree that priority must be given to urgent appointments. Please give the receptionist as much information as possible so that she may assess the urgency of your appointment.

Routine Appointments

These are by appointment only.

Emergency Appointments / Triage List

We run doctor triage session every morning to improve our service to you. When you contact the surgery and ask to see a doctor that day you will be asked if your problem is urgent for today. Our receptionist will ask for your full name, contact telephone number and details of your condition.

All this information is then passed to our triage doctor who will phone you back to assess your needs. Please be available to receive a telephone call from the doctor on the telephone number you have provided. If you use an answer phone at home please switch this off.

You must phone the surgery back if you have not been contacted by 11.30am.

If you cannot wait for assessment because your condition will not permit this, then you should go to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Accident and Emergency Department.

• Urgent cases are seen on the day.


• Tell us if you are in a telephone box. We will ring you back. Say immediately if your call is an emergency.

To Assist Everyone

Let Us Help You By:

• Telling us if you want someone to accompany you during an examination


• Asking for a private room, if appropriate, to discuss any confidential matters

You Can Help Us By:

• Being on time for your appointment


• Letting us know if you need to cancel


• Calling for a home visit or urgent appointment before 10.00am


• Requesting emergency prescriptions only between 2.00pm - 4.00pm


• Ringing for the results of tests after 2.00pm


• Remembering that the results of tests can only be given to the patient concerned.

Failure To Attend Appointments

If a patient fails to attend a pre-booked appointment on two occasions in a six month period, a warning letter will be sent to that patient, advising them that a further occurrence could risk removal from the practice.

If the patient fails to attend another appointment he/she will be removed from the practice list.

The practice manager will write to the patient and explain the reasons for removal including details of how to register with another practice.

**HELP US TO HELP YOU - KEEP IT OR CANCEL IT!**

HOW DO I...
Obtain A Home Visit?

Our doctors typically see five patients in the practice in the time it takes to do a single home visit. For this reason, we ask our patients to come to the practice if at all possible. However, we can visit you at home if your condition means you cannot attend. Please ring before 10.00am to arrange a visit and let us know if your condition is urgent. The doctor may telephone you to ascertain if a visit is a priority or medically indicated.

HOW DO I...
Obtain Test Results?

We have a computer link with the laboratories at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and are able to receive reports more quickly on your test. Patient confidentiality means that we can only give results of tests to the patient personally or, in the case of small children, to their parent or guardian. Telephone calls for results and personal enquiries are best made after 2.00pm when the staff will have more time to help.