Your GP Surgery The local GP Surgery has become the favourite first port of call for patients who are feeling unwell, but many people don't realise the range of healthcare options available to them.
The vast majority of winter health conditions are caused by viruses with symptoms which will last a short length of time and which cannot be treated with antibiotics. Most people should get the advice they need from their local pharmacist or from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 (www. nhsdirect.nhs.uk).
If you have a 'flare up' of a long standing illness such as kidney or lung disease, bronchitis, asthma or diabetes; that is not responding to self care or advice from your pharmacist; a call to your GP Surgery is the best course of action to take. By contacting your GP Surgery, a member of the team such as a practice nurse or a doctor may be able to help you with advice over the telephone or you can make an appointment.
GPs are experts in family medicine. If you are worried about the health of your child they are the best people to call.
If you need advice when your surgery is closed, consider calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or if it is an urgent medical matter that can't wait until the GP surgery re-opens call the new Gloucestershire 'Out of Hours' Service on 08454 220 220.
If you book an appointment to see your GP, but later realise you will be unable to make it or no longer need it, please tell the surgery receptionist as soon as possible, so that they can give your appointment to someone else. Missing an appointment wastes precious time and resources whatever the time of year, but during the winter months, when GP surgeries are even busier than usual, it has a particularly bad effect.
Finally, GPs are often asked by patients for sick notes when they need
time off work due to ill health. It's worth remembering that under normal
circumstances patients will only need a sick note if they need to be off
work for more than one working week. For shorter periods of sickness
people can self-certificate.
