Dr M L Swami & Partners

Dr M L Swami & Partners Patient Information Leaflet

Russell Street: 01189079976 Burghfield Health Centre:01189079965 Coley Park:01189079712

Appointments Routine 10 minute appointments are available each day and up to 4 weeks in advance. If you feel you require a longer appointment, please inform the Receptionist and a double appointment (20 minutes), will be allocated to you.If you need to see the doctor for an emergency and this cannot wait until the next available routine appointment, please call on the day for a 5 minute emergency. Telephone lines will be available form 8am for a morning emergency slot or 2pm for the afternoon. Please note an emergency appointment is for 1 complaint, 1 person, 5 minutes ONLY!

Please note, as of 1st August 2016 we have adopted a new policy for Late Arrivals at the Practice as follows:  Emergency 5 minute appointments – If the patient arrives late for a 5 minute same day emergency appointment, they WILL NOT be seen. These appointments are for emergencies only and should be attended on time.  Less than 10 minutes late normal appointment– The patient will be marked on arrival and the doctor/nurse will call them in at the first available opportunity, only if another patient does not attend.  More than 10 minutes, less than 20 minutes late normal appointment – The patient will be advised that the doctor/nurse will see punctual patients first, and they will be seen at the end of the surgery list, or the patient to re-book.  More than 20 minutes late normal appointment – The patient has clearly missed the appointment, and should be encouraged to re-book. Where there is an indication of clinical urgency then they may be added at the end of the surgery list.

If for any reason you are unable to attend an appointment, please cancel or change it either come into the surgery, telephone, online or text back ‘CANCEL’ when you receive an appointment text reminder. These appointments are then offered to someone else who really needs it.

Patients who fail to attend (DNA) an appointment 3 times or more, a letter will be issued and no future appointments will be booked until you have spoken with the Practice Manager/Kerrie Naish or the Lead GP/Dr M L Swami. These decisions we believe are fair to those patients who really need appointments. Extended hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 7-8am at Burghfield Health Centre, Saturday 8-12pm at Russell Street (first 3 weeks an any month). These are pre-bookable appointments ONLY!

Repeat Prescriptions Repeat prescriptions are available by completing the slip attached to your prescription, in person, sending a stamped addressed envelope or on-line. Please allow 48 hours. If you are a new patient to the surgery you will need to see a doctor before you will be able to get any regular repeat medication. Please note – if you wish to book appointments on-line please ask for details at Reception. Your medication, health and treatment may need to be reviewed in this case you will be asked to book an appointment with the doctor.

Obtaining Test Results If you have had a blood test and the doctor needs to see you regarding your result, someone from the administration team will ring you to book an appointment. If your tests return as normal’ we will not contact you. Please feel free to telephone the surgery if you have any concerns or request your result. Your comments and suggestions are most welcome!