We use specialist equipment to photograph your skin wound, lesion etc. and upload it straight away to a specialist for further consultation. This gives us quicker access to specialist consultations and more insight into you problem.

You do not require a doctor’s sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

We encourage all our patient to firstly submit requests for Fit Notes through our Online Consulting platform AccuRx. It is easy and allows you to leave a trace of your request on your medical record. We will review your request and depending on circumstances our GP will either issue your with the fit not or our reception team will contact you to advise if you need an appointment first.

When submitting your request please choose “I have an admin query” tile.

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Statement of Fitness for Work – ’Fit Note’

The ‘fit note’ was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer’s support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see:

Our GP are able to refer you to a specialist services if your condition meets certain criteria for referrals to be accepted.

Please access the link below to find out what happens when you are referred to see a specialist:

We offer clinical appointments tailored to those who experience mental health conditions available through one of our Mental Health Lead GPs. 

Influenza can be a debilitating and serious illness, particularly for the elderly. We advise all patients over the age of 65 and those at risk with conditions that include chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes, to be immunised. Our clinics are usually held in October or November and we will contact you closer to the time with more details.

If you are too ill to travel to the surgery a doctor or a PCN paramedic will visit you at home. Please contact the surgery between 8.30am and 11.30am on 01606 544300 choosing option 2 and give our staff as much information as possible to enable our clinician assess the urgency of your request. Please be aware that home visits are reserved for housebound and terminally ill patients.

Our consulting rooms have better facilities for examination and treatment than are available in your home and it is often to your advantage to attend the surgery.

Your call will be dealt with initially by a member of our administrative team who will either be able to provide advice or forward the enquiry to one of our clinicians. From here you will either be provided a telephone consultation, or a home visit from the GP or community paramedic.

We offer a wide range of contraceptive services, and offer guidance regarding unwanted pregnancies and safer sex. Please complete a medical request on our online consultation platform to let us know you would like to discuss this with our clinicians and we will contact you to arrange an appontment. If you are unable to use internet or the online consultaiton platform please speak to one of our receptionists to arrange appropriate support.

Our practice nurses Helen & Emma provide support for patients with long term illnesses such as high blood pressure, asthma, COPD and diabetes.

Long-term illnesses are managed by the whole health care team – including GPs, nursing staff and clinical pharmacists.

We encourage our patients to take an active role in helping to manage their own conditions, but it is helpful to come for a review once a year.

Most chronic illness require yearly reviews and are looked after by our nursing team. Some medications or conditions require yearly blood tests – it is helpful if you arrange to have these done before your review, to assist the clinician in monitoring your progress. If you are on regular medications it is often necessary to have a check up before we can safely continue to prescribe your medications.

Immunisation and vaccination for children is particularly important.

We hold weekly clinics with our practice nurses and you can book these any time. Appointments are sent by post, but if you have any queries please discuss them with your health visitor or doctor.

Please don’t forget to bring your child’s Red Book.

Our computerised system will automatically advise you by post when your smear is due. You will be asked to make an appointment at the smear clinics which are held regularly by our practice team.

Please access following link to find out why cervical screening is important:

Cervical screening – Why it’s important