Other Information

Access to Doctors and Nurses via the telephone

The practice offers telephone consultations during morning and evening surgeries. On contacting the medical centre you will be given a time when the doctor or nurse will ring you back to discuss problems and offer advice.

We ask you keep your telephone line clear for ten minutes either side of the appointed time and listen out for the telephone ringing.

NHS Direct

NHS Direct online is available at http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk, NHS Direct are available 24 hours on telephone number 0845 4647. The closest walk-in centre to Howden can be found at Monkgate Health Centre in York. Details of Primary Care Trust telephone number 01482 650700.

Disabled Access

The medical centre is a single storey building with full access and facillities for the disabled. An Induction loop is in place for hearing aid users. Please switch hearing aids to the 'T' position.

This leaflet is available in large print, please contact the practice manager.

Telephone system

In response to concerns raised by patients who find it difficult to get through to the practice on the telephone the practice has had a new telephone system with eight in-coming telephone lines installed.

The options available on the telephone system are as follows, Please listen carefully to the practice.

On calling 01430 430318 you will hear the following:-|

Welcome to Howden Medical Centre, if you know the extension you require, please enter it now.

If your call is:

• A Medical Emergency, press 1

This will direct you to our emergency telephone that is always answered as a matter of priority.

• To book a routine doctors appointment press 3

This will direct your call to our newly installed automated appointment service. This will enable you to make an advance appointment with a doctor or nurse or to cancel or check an appointment with a doctor or nurse.

• For repeat prescriptions press 4

This will direct your call to an automated message system. The message wil give you the instructions on how you can request a repeat prescription or the option to leave a message on our automated presription service.

The 24 hour automated prescription service wll ask you the following:-

Please give your full name, date of birth, and a contact telephone number and state clearly the items you require.

We ask that you speak slowly and clearly to enable the reception team to detail your requirements accurately.

• For test results press 5

This wil direct your call to the reception team. We ask that you do not ring for test results until after 11.00am when the telephone lines are not so busy.

• To speak to a receptionist or to book other appointments press 6

This will direct you to the reception team for any questions and queries or to book an on the day appointment with a doctor or an appointment in advance with one of the nursing team.

• Or to listen to these options again please hold.

This will direct your call to the beginning of the greeting.

Charges

Pharmacy link is a scheme in which the treatment of minor illness is given by a community Pharmacist. The Medical Centre is currently paticipating in this scheme with pharmacies in Howden and Goole. A Pharmacy link patient information leaflet is available from reception.

Choose and Book

Choose and Book is a system that is used when a decision has been made to refer you to a hospital. Your doctor will give you a choice of hospital you may wish to attend that offers the type of care that you require.

Hull York Medical School

The practice is a teaching partner of Hull York Medical School. Third year medical stuents are taught at the practice on a Wednesday.

You may be asked by a doctor to participate by taking part in s a face - to face consultation with the medical students.