Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To book a blood test anywhere in Cheshire that offers the services please visit UHNM – Patient Connect OR call the central booking hub on: 01782 674242

You can check your prescription status via the NHS App, for more information on this please visit: Prescriptions

OR

You can call your nominated pharmacy and chase your prescription with them.Please only call us if the pharmacist has said there is an issue with your prescription that your GP needs to action, otherwise we cannot help.

You can check your NHS Number via the NHS App, for more information on this please visit: Online Services

OR

You can visit: Find Your NHS Number – Witton Street Surgery

OR

You can call reception on 01606 544850 and ask them to find out for you.

No, we are closed on Bank Holidays. However, if you need medical advice or attention during this time you can:

Visit your pharmacy – Your local pharmacy can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaint. Visit NHS Choices to find a pharmacy open near you.

Call NHS 111 – If you need urgent medical advice but your condition is not life threatening. NHS 111 Is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.

A&E or 999 – for a genuine medical emergency including; loss of consciousness, acute confused state and fits that are not stopping, persistent and/or severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.

We do not close for lunch therefore our reception is still available in person or over the phone.

You can view your test results via the NHS App / NHS Web, for more information on this visit Test results.

If you cannot use the NHS App / NHS Web, please ring after 14:00 for test results.

Your results cannot be given to another person due to confidentiality reasons, unless you have already requested this and it is recorded in your notes. 01606 544850.

Most tests take approximately 2 working days to return, with specialised tests taking longer. X-ray and scan results are usually received by the practice 7-10 days after the test was performed. It is your responsibility to telephone for results, as we process large numbers of tests each day and are unable to telephone individual results.

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).

To order a repeat prescription you can either:

• You can use the NHS App / NHS Web to request your prescription with ease, for more information visit Prescriptions
• Use the right hand side of your prescription indicating with a tick or cross which items are required. Post your request in the repeat prescription box outside the entrance to the building. We require 48 working hours’ notice for all prescriptions.
• Email your request, include your full name, address and date of birth along with the name(s) of the medication you require. Email to [email protected]
• You can post your request to us, giving us all the details as listed above.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT REQUESTS FOR REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS OVER THE PHONE due to the fact that errors can be made this way, and we require a paper Audit trail of all orders.

If you live within the practice boundaries (if you are unsure our team will be happy to help) you can register at the practice.

Visit Registering as a New Patient to complete our online registration form and for more information.

If you have a new address or phone number then please fill out our online form by visiting Updating your medical records online or contact our reception team who will be able to update your details on our system.

Most adults in England have to pay prescription charges.

Some items are always free, including contraceptives and medicines prescribed for hospital inpatients.

The current prescription charge is £9.35 per item.

A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) could save you money on NHS prescription costs:

• a 3-month PPC costs £30.25
• a 12-month PPC is £108.10

Find out how to save money with a PPC

There’s no need to book in to see a GP, you can book in to see the midwife. Our receptionist will be able to assist you with this.

The CQC (Care Quality Commission) is the organisation making sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourage care services to improve.

Before a care provider can carry out any of the activities that regulated by the CQC, they must register and satisfy them that they will be able to meet a number of legal requirements. Activities regulated includes the treatment, care and support provided by hospitals, GP practices, dental practices, ambulance services, care homes and home-care agencies.

For more information about the CQC, you can visit their website.

The reception staff are members of the practice team and it has been agreed they should ask patients ‘why they need to be seen’. Reception staff are trained to ask certain questions in order to ensure that you receive the most appropriate medical care from the most appropriate health professional at the most appropriate time.

The receptionists are asked to collect brief information from patients to help:

• doctors prioritise house visits and phone calls
• ensure patients receive the appropriate level of care
• direct patients to see the nurse or other health professionals rather than a doctor where appropriate.

Reception staff, like all members of the team, are bound by confidentiality rules:

• Any information given by you is treated strictly confidentially.
• The practice would take any breach of confidentiality very seriously and deal with it accordingly.
• You can ask to speak to the receptionist in private, away from the reception desk.
• However, if you feel your issue is very private and do not wish to say what this is, then this will be respected.