We are currently experiencing significant pressure on our services due to GP sickness and would like to thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.

We have managed to employ some locum doctors at short notice and our available regular doctors are all working extra to help cover this period, but at times there may still be fewer appointments available than we would like. While we are doing our best to ensure that we have as many appointments available to our patients as possible, the use of locum doctors could mean that you may not always be seen the doctor of your choice.

Although there may be a wait for routine appointments, the surgery offers a triage system for all urgent health problems. Whilst this operates for most of the day we would kindly request that if you know that you need advice that day that you telephone before 10am if possible.

As there are less regular doctors completing all of the routine paperwork we ask for your patience and understanding if you have to wait longer than usual for non-urgent forms and reports to be completed by your doctor during this time.

You can help us during this time of increased pressure by:

• Ensuring repeat prescriptions are ordered in plenty of time (minimum 48 hours)
• Cancelling any appointments that you have made but can’t attend (176 appointments were missed in July, these could have been offered to another patient if they were cancelled)
• Speaking with a local pharmacist for simple healthcare problems
• Allowing plenty of time for forms/reports to be completed

We are committed to providing good healthcare to our patients and thank you for your understanding at this time.