Patient Information

Branch Surgeries

It is not necessary to make an appointment to attend our Branch Surgeries, but you are advised to contact the practice before 10:30am on the day of the surgery so that we can prepare your notes for the doctor, or inform you if the surgery is not being held. Branch surgeries can be found at:
The Village halls of Blackawton, Strete and Slapton

Emergencies / Urgent Medical Treatment

(out of hours) Telephone: 01803 832212
(at weekends and bank holidays and from 6:00pm - 8:30am during the week)

When you telephone out of hours, the answerphone will give you the number which will connect you to Devon Docs. Devon Docs will take details and contact the duty doctor. In case of minor accidents which you consider might require immediate hospital treatment, the nearest casualty department is Dartmouth Hospital.

Home Visits

(Telephone 01803 832212 before 10am)

If you are too ill to come to the surgery and genuinely need a home visit please telephone before 10am so that the doctors can plan their calls. Home visits are normally undertaken at anytime between midday and 4:30pm and you should not expect the doctor to arrive immediately following the end of the morning surgery. Please only request visits if absolutely necessary as the doctor can see 3 patients in surgery in the same time taken to do 1 home visit. The doctor also has better conditions and facilities for sorting out your problem at the surgery. Home visits are not available to assist with problems of transport to the surgery. The doctor may telephone you before visiting to clarify your problem. Visits are for the house-bound and those too unwell to visit the surgery.

Emergency Visits

If the problem needs a doctor straight away, make this quite clear to the receptionist, who will contact the doctor immediately. In certain circumstances an ambulance will also be summoned.

Telephone Advice

If you wish to speak to the doctor, telephone after morning surgery. If he/she is busy, we will take your name, telephone number and message. When the doctor is free he/she will return your call.

Disabled Patients

There is access and toilet facilities for the disabled. There is a separate surgery entrance for wheelchair access. There is also a ground floor consulting room for patients who are unable to use the stairs.

Dartmouth Hospital

Dartmouth Hospital has 22 GP beds as well as a casualty department. It is run by the GPs with nursing staff. There is no resident doctor. Minor surgery is performed at the hospital by the GPs. Physio and Xray facilities are at the hospital. Referral is via your GP.

Casualty Service

The nearest casualty Dept is a Dartmouth Hospital. Torbay Hospital is the nearest major accident and emergency centre.

Cervical Smear

Smears are usually performed by the Practice Nurse or by the Doctor, the choice is yours. The test can detect cell changes in the cervix (neck of the womb), that can sometimes lead to cancer in the future. If the changes are present, treatment is nearly always simple, effective and of a minor nature. We recommend a test every 5 years and we would especially encourage ladies aged 25-65 to have it done. Patients who have had a total hysterectomy do not need a smear. Ask your GP or Practice Nurse if you are not sure.

Immunisations

The Practice Nurse immunises children under 5 years of age by appointment. Adult immunisations are also by appointment with the Practice Nurse. It is recommended that adults have a tetanus injection every 10 years - we can advise you when your last one was recorded, so if you need one, please make an appointment.

Travel Immunisations

We can offer a full range of foreign travel immunisations including Yellow Fever. You may well need time to have a course, so try to come about eight weeks in advance. The practice Nurse can give up-to-date advice. Ask for our Travel Pack leaflet at reception for more details about travel immunisations. A charge is payable for some travel immunisations.

Child Immunisations

Recommended ages for immunisation are as follows:

2 months - Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping Cough), Polio and HIB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B), Meningitus C.
3 months - Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and HIB, Meningitis C.
4 Months - Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and HIB, Meningitis C.
12-15 Months - Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles)
4-5 Years - Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio Booster, Measles, Mumps & Rubella 2

Children who are behind in this schedule should catch up as soon as possible. Ask your Health Visitor for advice.

Family Planning & Contraception

The Practice offer a full contraceptive and family planning service. Please make an appointment at Reception with one of the Doctors or Nurses, or to attend our family planning clinic.

Emergency Contraception

('Morning after pill' & 'Morning after coil')
Hormonal contraception may be possible up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or if an 'accident' occurs with other methods and even a little longer if a coil is used. Please contact the Surgery during normal hours and have this treatment as soon as is reasonably possible.

Minor Surgery

The doctors perform minor surgical procedures which may include the removal of certain skin cysts, moles, in-growing toenails, incision of abscesses and injections of arthritic joints.

Non NHS Service

Medical examinations for HGV and PSV licences and for pre-employment, are not paid for by the NHS. Some insurance forms such as the certificates for Elderly Drivers Insurance appear simple, but need a full medical examination for their completion. Examinations of this nature take time and therefore a fee has to be charged . A special appointment will be required and the fee is payable by the patient at the time of the examination.

Examinations for Life Insurance will also need a special appointment. They can take between half an hour to an hour to complete. The fee in this case is usually paid by the Life Insurance company concerned.

Forms Requiring Signature

The number of forms doctors are being asked to complete is growing rapidly. In some cases someone other than the doctor can sign them for you.


Passport Applications - The Doctor is only allowed to sign a passport application if he has known you personally for 2 years.
School Certificates - Certificates for school should be signed by a parent or guardian.
Sickness Certificates - Certificates for sickness for periods of less than a week should usually be signed by the patient themselves using form SC2 (available from your place of work and at reception). A medical certificate is not required. If your employer insists on the production of a medical certificate, a fee will be charged.
Holiday Cancellation - Holiday cancellation insurance does not need a doctors letter - it needs an official claim form obtainable from your insurers (a doctor does need to fill a part of it in). A fee is normally charged for completion of private certificates. Please ask at reception for details.

Letters of Support

As a general rule the Practice does not provide letters of support for Housing, CAB or Police related maters. In exceptional circumstances these will be provided at the doctors discretion. There may be a charge for this. We request one weeks notice and for all requests to be made in writing.