Opening Times

In response to our various patient surveys, from 1st November 2010 we altered our opening hours so that patients can visit reception twelve hours a day, Monday to Friday.  GP appointments are available between 8.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. every weekday and we also be offering Nurse appointments up to 7.30 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Please be aware that our switchboard is closed between 12.00 and 14.00 hrs. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 11.00 to 14.00 hrs. on Wednesday. 

Consulting Times

Doctors

We offer general consultations with a doctor every day between 8.30 and 7.30 p.m.  Clinics are at staggered intervals throughout that period and are generally 8.30 to 11.00 a.m., 1.00 to 3.30 p.m., 4.00 to 6.00 p.m. and 5.00 to 7.30 p.m. 

We have a daily Assessment Clinic for patients suffering from an acute (urgent) medical problem.  We cannot guarantee which doctor you will see and you will probably have to wait to be seen - but you will be seen that day.  The consultation will be shorter than a normal booked appointment and the doctor will only treat your acute problem and will not deal with ongoing clinical conditions, repeat medication requests or any other non-acute problems in this clinic.

Nurses & Health Care Assistants

General appointments with a nurse or health care assistant are usually available throughout the working day within our normal opening hours. 

Appointments with our specialist nurses are offered (usually in dedicated clinic sessions) for certain patient groups such as those suffering from asthma and diabetes.

Phlebotomy (blood taking)

Appointments for phlebotomy (blood taking) are available every weekday morning.

Medication Reviews

Certain groups of patients may be invited for an annual medication review.  This may be carried out by the doctor, PCT Prescribing Advisor or by one of the adjacent pharmacy team.  Read about this in more detail by clicking on the Prescriptions tab on the left-hand menu.

Midwifery Services (Ante Natal)

From February 2012 the midwifery clinics return to the practice and are held on a Monday and Wednesday morning.  Please telephone 01362 852800 to make an appointment.

Counselling

A weekly counselling session (Monday 13.30 to 17.30 hrs.) is provided at the surgery by Paul Thomas.  This service has been commissioned by Mid Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group for all three Dereham surgeries, Mattishall and North Elmham.  Referrals are made via your GP.

Community Mental Health Link Worker

Our Link Worker is Angela Vawser.  From March 2012 Angela will be seeing patients at the surgery on Mondays.

Extended Hours Service

We are pleased to offer extended hours appointments every weekday between 6.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. with a doctor and between 6.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday with a Nurse.

When We Are Closed

If you need to speak to a doctor when the surgery is closed, please telephone 01362 852 800.  Our answerphone message will tell you the contact number for the duty doctor.

Our out of hours cover is provided by the East of England Ambulance Service .  Their hours of cover are:-

• Weekday cover from 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 a.m.
• Friday 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 a.m. Monday
• All Bank, Statutory and Local Holidays

When you get through, the call-taker will ask for details of your problem.  Depending on the nature of your illness, you will then speak to a doctor, a nurse or an emergency care practitioner who will assess you.  They will either:

• Give you advice over the telephone on how to treat yourself at home or to visit a chemist
• Ask you to attend a local primary care centre where, depending on your clinical need, you may be treated by a doctor, a nurse or an emergency care practitioner
• Arrange for you to have a home visit from a doctor, a nurse or an emergency care practitioner.

Call 999 for a genuine medical emergency.   Remember that chest pains and/or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.

Please do not ask to see a doctor out of hours unless you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.

NHS Direct

In the case of urgent need when the practice is closed you can call NHS Direct (telephone 0845 4647) to speak to a triage nurse. Your needs will be assessed and advice offered or arrangements made for you to see a doctor.