Appointments

You can see any Doctor in the practice by appointment, and we have a number of pre-bookable GP appointments which can be booked up to six weeks ahead. We offer 10-minute GP appointment slots.

We also offer GP appointments ‘on-line’, via the above link; please ask for details.

Please note if you suffer a minor injury please attend the Minor Injuries Unit at Buxton Cottage Hospital and not Elmwood Medical Centre.

Telephone Consultations

Sometimes a Doctor will ask a patient to make a telephone appointment rather than visiting the practice.  Urgent telephone advice can sometimes be given by a Doctor; call the surgery in the first instance.  

Nurse Practitioners

In some cases, you may be offered an appointment with a Nurse Practitioner rather than a Doctor. Nurse Practitioners are qualified to deal with many conditions and you may be seen more quickly. They can also prescribe.

 

Practice Nurses

Practice Nurses see patients for reviews of chronic conditions, vaccinations, smears etc. that do not need the involvement of a Doctor. 

Training Practice

Medical students  are attached to the practice from time to time.  When this happens you will be informed and if you prefer to see the doctor alone this will be arranged. 

Referrals

Outpatients/inpatients may be referred to consultants at one of a number of hospitals including Buxton, Stepping Hill (Stockport), Macclesfield, Chesterfield, Sheffield and Manchester.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

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 as early as possible in the day.

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.

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)