Appointments

Appointments are 10 minute in length and are for 1 patient only. Patients who have more than 2 problems should make a longer appointment at time of booking.

On-The-Day Appointments 

The practice offers a limited amount of on-the day appointments Monday to Friday. Patients may request these via telephone or in person at reception from 8:00am. The appointments are given on a first come first service basis depending on clinical need. Patients will be asked at the time of booking to give details of their symptoms which will be passed to the on-call GP. An appointment will be given as deemed appropriate.

Telephone Advice

We are aware that sometimes it is more convenient and appropriate to speak to a patient on the telephone to give general advice or review certain medications. Patients wishing to use this service may request a telephone appointment when advised by the GP about their prescription or at any time they feel that this would be more appropriate for them. On some occasions our reception staff will offer a telephone appointment to patients if appropriate. This often allows more prompt assessment of certain issues.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Missed Appointments

1st missed appointment, a note will be made in your medical records

2nd missed appointment within a 6 month period will result in a warning letter being issued

3rd missed appointment within a 6 month period will result in removal from the practice list

Bruce Medical Centre

&

 University of Glasgow

School of Medicine

Bruce Medical Centre and the University of Glasgow, School of Medicine hosts Medical Students here within the practice.

At your appointment you will be advised that a Medical Student may be present during your consultation.  The Medical Student will simply sit in and observe your consultation.  This is entirely optional and if you feel you would not like the Medical Student to be present please let our Reception Staff know.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00am.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Extended Hours Clinic

The practice operates an Extended Hours clinic.  This clinic is hosted on Tuesday evenings where you can book an appointment in advance.  The clinic is in place specifically for patients that work during the day and find it difficult to get away from work commitments.  If you are patient who specifically requires an evening appointment please ensure you advise the Receptionist at the time of your call for booking an appropriate appointment.

Initially you will receive an telephone triage call regarding your appointment.  From this telephone consultation, if required the clinician recommends a face to face consultation then the clinician will either arrange arrange for you to attend either on the same evening (subject to availability).  Alternatively the clinician will offer you an appointment at a suitable date and time that is convenient with you or ask that you contact the practice to book an appointment that is convenient with you.

Sickness Certificates

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.

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 the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced).