Routine appointments: Queens Park operates an appointment system. You can book an appointment with the Doctor or Practice Nurse by telephoning the surgery on the numbers listed or calling in to the building in person. You will always be offered the next available appointment unless you request a certain day or time and will always see the Doctor to who you are allocated. Normally patients should be able to see their own doctors within 4 days. On the occasions when your allocated Doctor is unavailable owing to holidays or sickness etc., you will of course be seen by another Doctor.

Patients with urgent problems will always be seen the same day. One appointment is for one person. Should you require yourself and a child or spouse etc. to be seen together, please explain this to the Receptionist when booking and you will be given two appointments with Doctor or the Practice Nurse. This is to allow enough time for your consultations.

For certain ailments you may not require an appointment to see a Doctor, such as:

• Headlice
• Urine Infections (e.g. Cystitis)
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (Nurse to check Blood Pressure)
• Contraception (Nurse to check BP)
• Hayfever

Emergency appointments: You will be seen on the same day if your problem is urgent but you will need to inform your Receptionist of this. If the surgery is full, you will be given a time for a slot designated for emergencies. On arrival you will be handed a slip to read and hand to your Doctor. This explains that you have been given an emergency appointment slot. Should your Doctor think that this is inappropriate, you may be asked to make a routine appointment.

Cancelling appointments: Please inform us as soon as possible if you are unable to keep a booked appointment. In an average week 70 patients fail to attend for their appointments. This means that 70 other patients have to wait longer than necessary for their appointment.

Late arrivals: It may not be possible to see you if you arrive late for your appointment with the doctor or nurse, because this may cause problems for other patients who have appointments. In these circumstances you may be asked to rebook.

From April 2012 we are introducing telephone appointments. If you would like to speak to your doctor please ask the reception who will be able to make the necessary arrangements.