Dr R J B Bowering
Dr M P Varshney
Dr R M Darling
Dr J L Godbehere
Dr JM Jenkins
Dr CM England
Riverbank Medical Centre
Walford Avenue
Worle
Weston-super-Mare
North Somerset
BS22 7YZ
Tel: 01934 521133
WELCOME TO THE PRACTICE
This website describes
the services we offer and gives guidelines on how best to use them.
We hope you find it helpful and informative.
OPENING
HOURS
Monday to Friday
8:15am - 6:30pm
APPOINTMENT SYSTEM
Details on how to book routune/urgent appointments with a doctor or nurse can be found here.
We have found that many problems can be dealt with over the phone. This may save you a trip to the surgery. If the GP feels it would be more appropriate to see you, then you will be offered an appointment.
Some problems, such as minor illnesses and blood pressure checks, can be dealt with by our experienced practice nurses and healthcare assistants. This will free up more time for GP appointments to address more difficult problems.
EXTENDED HOURS
We run a later evening surgery (6.30-8pm) on a Thursday for patients who cannot attend at other times. These surgeries are staffed by the doctors on a rota basis and therefore we cannot guarantee which doctor you will see. These appointments need to be pre-booked. NB. Our telephones are not available during this period – in the case of a medically urgent problem contact should be made with the Out of Hours service.
WAITING TIMES
It is our aim that you should spend no longer than 30 minutes in the surgery after the time of your booked appointment. Unfortunately there will be occasions when this time is exceeded as the doctor may have a complicated patient to see, an urgent admission to make or may even have to leave the surgery to attend an emergency case. We would hope you understand that we must afford these patients priority as you would expect it yourself.
When the doctor you are waiting for is running late or called away, you may, if you wish, be asked if you would like to wait, see an alternative doctor or make another appointment.
A receptionist will inform waiting patients of any significant delay.
If an emergency arises between 8.00am and 6.30pm, please contact the surgery on the usual number. Between the hours of 6.30pm and 8.00am, please contact the out-of-hours on 0845 121 0235. If an appointment is assessed as being required you will need to attend the emergency centre located at Weston General Hospital. This is operated on a strict APPOINTMENT ONLY basis.
IN THE EVENT OF A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION DIAL 999.
The
building is wheelchair accessible, has toilets for the disabled and baby changing
facilities. There is a hearing loop in the waiting areas and a portable unit for the hard of hearing.
There
is limited free parking available (one disabled bay) - please park with consideration
for others, taking note of the markings.
The
practice has a policy of offering a chaperone during all intimate examination.
You have a right to ask for a chaperone at any time if the doctor wishes to examine
you.
Practice News and Notices
Updated May 2010
Online Repeat Ordering
Please note that the Online Repeat Prescription system will be unavailable from the 10th of June due to an IT upgrade. The system should be operational again by the 16th of June.
Swine 'Flu
We will only be offering this vaccine to all at risk groups and under 5 year olds until the 31st March 2010. If you have received a letter and would like this vaccine, please phone the practice and put your name on our waiting list.
ONLINE REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
You can now request your repeat prescriptions online. simply visit the surgery and ask at reception for more details on how to register. Please note however that this system is intended for non-urgent, 48 hour repeat prescriptions only. The website for ordering repeat prescriptions can be found at: https://www.emisaccess.co.uk/
IMPROVED SYSTEMS FROM 10 MAY 2010
Appointments - All our doctors appointments are now pre-bookable in advance (most up to 4 weeks ahead)
Sit & Wait Surgery - If you phone us in the morning, and have an urgent problem, you will access this new service. You will be asked to arrive at the surgery at 12 noon and will be seen by the next available doctor.
Home Visits - If you think you need a home visit you MUST phone before 10AM. A doctor will phone you back and assess. Requests made after 10AM will not normally be seen that day.
Extended hours - have been available every Thursday evening from October 2008 6.30 to 8.30pm. These appointments are for pre-booked routine problems and are mainly to accommodate those patients who work and are unable to attend the surgery at any other time. For urgent appointments please contact the surgery in the usual way.
Nurse Practitioner - Elaine is highly skilled and trained in minor illness. If you ask for an on day appointment you may be booked with her.
Nurse Appointments - can be booked up to 6 months in advance and need to be booked in advance. If you need to have stitches removed or wound dressed please book these as soon as you know to ensure an appointment.
Cancellations and Non-Attendance - due to a high level of last minute cancellations and patients not attending we request that you give us at least 24 hour notice if you need to cancel your appointment.
Commuter Appointments - are available each day for each doctor on duty. These can be pre-booked in advance at 5.30 & 5.40. These are kept available for patients who work outside of Weston ie Bristol/Taunton.
Reception Staff - To make the most of your appointment please be guided by our reception staff as to the best practice member to see and the best way to book. You may also be asked if a face-to-face appointment is required or whether a telephone consultation will suffice. It has been increasingly popular for GPs to deal with queries that do not require an examination over the phone.
If you are already under the care of one particular practitioner it is always best to see them however this is not always possible as we only have one full-time GP in the practice. The practice would like to thank the various advertisers who have helped to produce this Website. However, it must be pointed out that the accuracy of any statements cannot be warranted, nor any products or services advertised, be guaranteed or endorsed. |
