Norwood runs a mixed appointment system. This means that some of our appointments for non urgent problems can be booked up to one month ahead.
In line with Government guidance however, the majority of our appointments are released 24 and 48 hours ahead. On a Monday morning, for example, some appointments will be released for Tuesday and some for Wednesday. It may unfortunately not always be possible to book with the doctor of your choice as all of our doctors are part time and demand for individual doctors can be very high.
Out receptionists will always try however to offer an appointment to suit you whenever possible.
All out appointments are for 10 minutes, if you require longer please let the receptionist know.
You may book a telephone call from your doctor. The receptionist will take your details and the doctor will call you back when available. If your call is urgent please ask to speak to the on call doctor, who will arrange an appointment that day if necessary.
Telephone or face-to-face contact with our receptionists is available from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, except Tuesday lunchtime when we are closed 12:30pm until 2:00pm.
Home Visits are provided only for patients who are too unwell to attend surgery. If you feel you need a visit please try to call before 11:00 am. Visits normally take place from 12:00 pm onwards.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
We aim to provide efficient, comprehensive and accessible healthcare to our patients and to help all patients to achieve the best state of health possible. We will work towards this as a team respecting the discrimination in a supportive and friendly environment. We will involve our patients as much as possible in the decisions around their care and treatment and ensure that they have the information needed to make informed decisions.
We ask our patients to help us to achieve the aims above. You can help by using our services appropriately, for example following our systems for the booking/cancellation of appointments and requesting repeat prescriptions.
We have a very committed and hard working staff team and we ask that you treat them with respect and courtesy at all times. We are not able to tolerate any abuse of our staff or other patients and we will remove any patients from our list who are unable to comply with this request.
We are very interested to know what you think of our services. If you have a complaint, a suggestion for change or just a comment – please tell the receptionist or ask to speak to Caroline Lee our managing partner.
If you wish to view your records please call to arrange an appointment. If you want paper copies of your notes there will be a charge for this and we will require a written request. Your notes will not be made available to anyone outside the practice without your consent, except in very specific circumstances where we are required to do so by law.
Confidentiality and the under 16’s
If you are under 16, you are entitled to the same confidentiality from your doctor or nurse as anyone else. While we encourage you to involve your parent or guardian if we feel it is appropriate, the decision is yours. Your consultation will remain confidential if this is your wish.
1. Patients will be removed from the practice list in the following circumstances:
2. When the patient moves out of the practice area (beyond Askam, Lindal Ireleth and Little Urswick, existing patients who move into this ‘grey; area will continue to be on our list).
3. When there has been a breakdown in the relationship between the patient and the practice. This will always be discussed at a partners’ meeting and agreed by a majority of partners.
4. Where the patient displays unacceptable behaviour following warnings.
5. Where the patient persistently fails to attend in spite of warnings.
6. Where the patient has displayed violence or seriously abusive behaviour. In this case the police would be involved as an immediate removal be requested.
In all cases the patient would receive a letter explaining the reasons for their removal, and may appeal to the senior partner, Dr. Simon H. Rogerson in writing.
Please request test results from reception after 2pm. The receptionist will tell you if you need to speak to or see a doctor. Results can take between a few days and a few weeks to come back.
What People Say about Us
We encourage all of our patients to share the responsibility for their health, in preventing disease and in treating existing diseases. Prevention really is better than cure. Many of the most serious diseases can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and without the need for drugs.
Smoking
This is single the largest preventable cause of ill health in this country. It is a major cause of cancer, heart attacks, angina and chest disease. If you would like advice and help in giving up, please ask. Please remember, in company, if you’re smoking – everybody’s smoking.
Diet
A healthy diet not only helps control weight but also reduces cholesterol and helps prevent heart attacks. Ask the nurse for advice.
Exercise
Regular exercise helps you to prevent heart disease, control weight and make you feel better. If you are overweight, or out of shape, please ask for advice before starting vigorous exercise.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can in the long term increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Reducing blood pressure can reduce these risks. Treatment does not always require tablets. We advise all adults to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If you have not had yours checked recently, please ask the nurse or doctor.
Sex
Make it happy, make it safe! Please come and discuss safe sex and contraception before problems occur. Remember the morning after pill is available up to 72 hours after sex, not just the morning after. However, the earlier the better! (also available over the counter).
Alcohol
Remember alcohol is a drug and needs to be treated with respect. There are upper limits for the use of alcohol – 21 units a week for a man and 14 units a week for a woman. One unit is half a pint, 1 measure of spirits or one glass of wine.
Self Treatment of Common Illness and Accidents
Sore Throats
The vast majority of sore throats are part of a viral illness, and so cannot be treated directly, but will settle within 3-4 days with the help of soluble aspirin gargles for adults or paracetamol for children. Prolonged sore throats or sore throats with high fever and swelling of the tonsils may be helped by antibiotics, so it is best to come and see the doctor.
Back Pain
Back pain causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each year. The spine, being made up of 24 bones, with associated cartilage and tendons, supports the whole weight of the upper body, and therefore it is understandable that it sometimes complains! Because of the complex nature of the spine, it is advisable to consult your doctor if any back pain persists for more than a few days. If, as is usual, the pain has been caused by abuse (e.g. lifting too heavyweights) be sensible and take things easy. Take care to sit as upright as possible with a support for the small of your back. Take aspirin or paracetamol, which will not only relieve the pain, but will help to relieve any inflammation. Your doctor may well prescribe stronger drugs, heat treatment, exercise or maybe some physiotherapy. A firm mattress on your bed or a board beneath a soft mattress will help.
Burns
If the skin is unbroken, apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes! If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose dry dressing. If the burn is larger than 4-5 inches in diameter, or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Colds/Flu
Even in this day and age, there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish, take aspirin or paracetamol. Do not bother to take antibiotics you may have lying around. These will have no effect at all!
Chicken Pox
On the 1st day a rash appears as small red patches about 3-4 millimetres across. Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next 3-4 days, further patches will appear, and the earlier patches will turn crusty and fall off. Calamine lotion/cream may be applied to soothe the often severe itching. Cool showers may also help. The most infectious period is from 2-3 days before the rash appears and up to 5 days after this date. Children may return to school as soon as the last blisters have dried up.
Minor Cuts and Grazes
Wash the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop the bleeding, apply a clean dressing or handkerchief firmly to the wound for about 5 minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing. You need to see a doctor/nurse if you have not had a tetanus vaccination in the last ten years.
Gastroenteritis (Diarrhoea and Vomiting)
Adults
Most attacks of gastroenteritis settle over a few days. The most important things are to keep drinking enough fluids to avoid dehydration. Don’t try to eat, but take frequent drinks of clear fluids. Don’t prepare food for others to avoid passing it on. If your symptoms persist for more than a few days, if you pass blood in your motion or you have recently travelled abroad, it may be worth seeing your doctor or nurse.
Babies and Children
With babies, it is particularly important to avoid dehydration. Stop all solids and give the baby frequent sips of clear fluids, (Dioralyte” from the chemist or for older children “flat 7 up”). This ensures adequate hydration with fluids and salt, plus glucose to keep energy levels up. As the diarrhoea settles, you can gradually re-introduce milk and solids. If the diarrhoea persists for more than 24 hours, then discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
Nose Bleeds
Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch your nostrils for approximately 10 minutes, by which time, the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Stomach Ache
Most attacks are not serious and are usually caused by indigestion or wind. A hot water bottle will often relieve the symptoms, and in the case of indigestion, a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda in half a glass of water will often help. If the pain persists for longer than 8 hours, or if it increases in intensity, you should consult your doctor.
Sunburn
Treat the same as other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation, whilst paracetamol will also help. Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn and great care should be taken to avoid over exposure to the harmful effects of the sun. Application of a high factor sunblock before going out will help prevent burning but remember to re-apply regularly.
Head lice
These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair, and are therefore not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Medicated head lotion can be obtained from the chemist without prescription.
Insect Bites and Stings
Antihistamine tablets or 1% hydrocortisone cream can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and these will usually relieve most symptoms, but tell the chemist if you are also taking other medication. Note that bee stings should be scraped away rather than plucked out, in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.
Soluble Aspirin/Paracetamol Tablets
These are available over the counter for adults and children over 12 years. They are good for headaches, colds, sore throats (gargling) and painful bruises. Patients with stomach ulcers should not use aspirin.
Paracetamol Mixture (Calpol)
For relief of pain or fever in young children.
Menthol Crystals
Add to hot water to make a steam inhalation for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.
Vapour Rub
Again, this is useful for steam inhalations or rubbing onto the chest and back for stuffy noses or dry coughs. Can be used for children too.
Antiseptic Solution
One teaspoonful diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes.
Calamine Lotion/Cream
For dabbing (not rubbing) on septic spots, sores in the nose and grazes. Also useful for chickenpox to relieve itching.
Dressing Strips/Plasters
For minor wounds.
4cm (3inch) Wide Crepe Bandage
To keep dressings in place or to support sprained or bruised joints.
Cotton Wool/Antiseptic Wipes For cleaning cuts and grazes.
Thermometer/Thermometer Strips
For ascertaining fevers – the strips are very useful for small children.
Tweezers
For removing splinters. Do not use for bee stings – these should be scraped away.
Scissors and Safety Pins