How Do I...
Make An Appointment or Order Repeat Prescriptions Online?

A convenient way to book appointments with a doctor and order repeat prescriptions online is by creating an account with EMIS. Before you can use online booking and request prescriptions you first need to register. This simply needs a unique patient ID and practice ID which you will receive from the surgery reception, by applying in person only. This registration form gives you all the information you require to 'create your account' online and you are ready to start using EMIS Access.

How Do I...
Speak To My Doctor On The Telephone?

Interruptions during surgery are upsetting for both the doctors and the patients.

The practice has the following system where patients can speak to a GP or nurse on the telephone after surgery.

Please telephone the surgery after 11.00am in order to speak to a GP or nurse unless the problem is urgent.

If the doctor or nurse is busy, you may be asked to call again and if the doctor or nurse is still busy, then a contact number will be taken for you to be phoned back.

Oakdale patients please ring the Creekmoor Surgery on 697639 at the times stated above.

How Do I...
Obtain A Home Visit?

Home visits are made to patients who are too ill to attend the surgery. Please make every effort to attend surgery.

For every home visit the doctor can see six patients in surgery.

All requests for visits should be made by contacting the surgery before 10.30am.

If you require an urgent visit after 10.30am the receptionist will contact the doctor on-call for you.

How Do I...
Obtain Test Results?

Please try to ring Creekmoor between 11.30am and 3.30pm and Oakdale between
10.30am and 12.30pm when the surgery is quieter.

How Do I...
Contact NHS Direct?

When a patient contacts the surgery in order to access the doctor on-call, the message on the answermachine will give a choice of calling NHS Direct for advice.

THE ACCESS NUMBER TO NHS DIRECT - 0845 4647.

Calls are charged at local rates, but the information and advice given will, of course, be free.

HOW CAN PEOPLE ON THE END OF THE PHONE LINE KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

Of course, not everything can be done on the phone, but there is good evidence from this country and elsewhere in the world that much valuable advice can be provided this way. Such services have already saved lives. The nurses are all highly trained clinicians, many of whom already have expertise in this rapidly developing area of care.

MANY ELDERLY PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE TO CAUSE A FUSS. IS THERE A DANGER SOME WILL RING NHS DIRECT RATHER THAN AN AMBULANCE?

Where an ambulance is needed, NHS Direct staff immediately pass the call to the ambulance control room. The helpline uses tested guidelines with supporting computer software and will have constant access to medical advice and the ambulance service.

IS THIS BEING DONE JUST TO SAVE MONEY? TO REDUCE DEMANDS ON GPs AND ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES?

There is strong evidence that helplines can provide a real service for people and it is clear from early reactions to the pilots that the public want this service. NHS Direct will help people care better for themselves and their families, give reassurance when they need it, round the clock. Any relief it offers to pressures on other parts of the NHS will be an additional benefit.

Healthpoint

This is a FREE health information service for the public in Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth. Healthpoint is situated in Poole Central Library on the top floor of the Dolphin Centre. You can contact Healthpoint by telephoning 01202 675377.