Making the most of your appointment

***Please attend the Surgery for all Nurse and blood test appointments***

General advice

• Prepare your thoughts and problems in advance by writing down your problem e.g: When your symptoms started, how they have changed, is it getting better or worse, what have you tried to help the problem.
• Be honest with the doctor. It is important to tell the doctor the main reason for getting in touch at the start of the consultation. If you are embarrassed, don’t be, the doctor is there to help and won’t be shocked.
• If you have more than one problem please let reception know and they will try and get you a longer appointment if possible. Otherwise, let your doctor know at the beginning of your consultation. They may be able to deal with more than one problem if they are related. However, your doctor may make you another appointment for your other problems, especially if they are new or complex problems.
• Do not try to add another person in on your consultation. Let reception know you need another appointment for this individual or prioritise who needs the appointment more.
• If you have any special needs please inform reception in advance so we can prepare the appointment for you first time (for example if you need an interpreter, have visual impairment, have a hearing impairment or prefer male or female doctor)
• If you know you have difficulty understanding or explaining things, bring someone you trust with you or if you require an advocate, see the following webpage for more information (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/someone-to-speak-up-for-you-advocate/).
• A consultation is about sharing in decisions about your care and goals. To make a good consultation you should let your doctor know about your goals, hopes, fears and expectations. This is why doctors ask you for YOUR thoughts. At the end of a consultation you should know:
• What is your main problem.
• What do you need to do about it.
• What to do if it does not get any better.

Telephone appointments

• If you are using a mobile phone, please make sure that you are in an area of good signal coverage. Telephone appointments are as important as face-to-face appointments. Please ensure that you have your phone with you, switched on and accessible for the day of your appointment.
• The clinician will make 2 attempts to call you after which, if there is no answer, another appointment will need to be booked.

eConsult, Photos, Video and face to face appointments

• eConsult is a simple way to contact the doctor; simply fill in a form and we will get back to you by phone text message or email.
  • https://hammersmithandfulhamcentresforhealth.webgp.com/treatmentCategory/showAll
• Video; You may be asked to do a video appointment.  The following link is useful for information about video consultations;
  • https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/video-consultations/
• Photos; In order to help your condition you may be requested to submit photographs. This may be through a text message link or eConsult, please help us to help you by doing this promptly.

Face to face:

• If you are asked to come to a face to face appointment:
• If you have a new continuous cough or high temperature above 37.8 degrees Celsius or loss of taste/smell, please ring the surgery first on 020 3313 4100. Please wear a face mask.
• Dress accordingly for possible examination. Loose clothing is best and remove any layers in advance.
• Please let reception know if you would like a chaperone.

Zero Tolerance

•  The practice fully supports the NHS Zero Tolerance Policy. The aim of this policy is to tackle the increasing problem of violence against staff working in the NHS and ensures that doctors and their staff have a right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused.
• https://hammersmithandfulhamcentresforhealth.nhs.uk/practice-info/our-policies/zero-tolerance/#