GENERAL INFORMATION

The West Byfleet Health Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Individual doctors’ consulting hours vary and may be obtained from your practice's reception.

Tests: blood tests will take a week before the results are available. X-rays take 10 - 14 days. For results, please ring the practice reception after 2 p.m.

Medical certificates: sick certificates (SC1) for the first six days of absence from work are available from the receptionists, your own employer or a post office. After the first week they will be provided at the time of a consultation with your doctor. A fee will be charged for private certificates. Non NHS examinations and certificates, for driving medicals, pre-employment, insurance, etc., can be arranged with your practice. As these are not available through the NHS, a fee may be payable.

Confidentiality: all information and records are held in the strictest confidence. Access is restricted to healthcare professionals and the practice teams. All staff members are bound by rules of confidentiality. Disclosure of information to third parties requires the consent of the patient. An audit of patient records is required by the Health Authority. It may be carried out by persons who are not medically qualified, but who are bound by the terms of their contract of employment to respect absolute patient confidentiality. If you object to your records being used in this way, please advise the practice receptionist and warning notices will be placed on your records.  TOP

Home visits may be made to patients whom the doctors consider to be too ill or immobile to come to the surgery. This decision will be taken by your doctor, who may speak with you by telephone. There is no automatic right to a home visit. Requests should be made, if possible, before 10.30 a.m., giving the receptionist as much information as you can to assist the doctor in deciding the degree of urgency. It is safe to bring children with a temperature into the surgery by car; they will be seen quickly and, if infectious, will be told where to wait.

Research. We participate in many International Research Projects and have a dedicated research department and a full-time research nurse – Anne Ellis RGN. Epidemiological research is carried out using anonymous data.

All three practices are members of the Medical Research Council’s General Practice Research Framework. This is a national group of around 1,100 general practices interested in undertaking research that will lead to better patient care. Should you like further information, please ask the Practice Manager of your practice.

GP training: we are 'training' practices, which means we are regularly assessed and inspected to ensure we meet the criteria required to set a good example and high standards for GPs of the future. The doctors who train with us are all fully qualified and have several years of experience as hospital doctors.

Dental emergencies: toothache or other dental pain is best dealt with by your dentist. Your dental practice can provide advice and emergency treatment, including antibiotics and painkillers. In case of an accident or sporting injury, when a permanent tooth is knocked out, replace the tooth in its socket immediately and contact your dentist for further advice and treatment. Mouth guards can prevent these injuries. It is recommended that children over 2 years of age should have a dental check up at least twice a year. Advice on diet, oral hygiene and fluoride treatment can be given by your dentist.  TOP

Violence: all the practices support the Government’s Zero Tolerance Zone Campaign. Violence and abuse is a growing concern. General practitioners and their staff have a right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused. Violent patients will be reported to the Police and struck off practice lists.

Walk-in centres: local walk-in centres are at:   Woking Hospital, Heathside Road, Woking   and    Weybridge Hospital, Church Street, Weybridge. Please click on the following for further information and opening times: out-of-hours information

Further information about Healthcare Services may be obtained from:

Surrey Heath and Woking Area Primary Care Trust
West Byfleet Health Centre, Madeira Road, West Byfleet, KT14 6DH
Tel: 01932 356830    Website: www.shawpct.nhs.uk