Following guidance from the NHS and in order to reduce the number of patients visiting the surgery in person we continue to work with some restrictions to services and ask that all requests for appointments to be undertaken via eConsult.  This allows us to safely prioritise requests and ensure that your problem is handled by the most appropriate member of the team.  Once we have received your eConsult a member of the team will carry out an initial assessment over the telephone and if necessary by video link. If you need assistance on how to participate in a video consultation watch this video https://youtu.be/DI2rvhcAaIw

To ensure a successful telephone consultation make sure you are in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed, make sure you have a good telephone signal and that we have your correct telephone number.

If you are unable to use eConsult please contact one of our trained receptionists who will help you arrange an initial telephone consultation with the doctor or nurse by completing an eConsult for you.  Please provide them with the information they request.

A small quantity of GP routine telephone consultation appointments are available to book directly by patients online. Please add a comment for the reason for your appointment so that the GP can be fully prepared and have any relevant and necessary information to hand.

Please be assured that we are still seeing patients face to face where necessary whilst being mindful of the risk to our vulnerable patients and staff. Face to face appointments cannot be booked online.

On arrival for a face to face appointment please wear a face covering and use the hand sanitiser provided. Use the computer check-in screen to notify the doctor or nurse of your arrival, if you cannot do this please inform a member of the reception team. You may be accompanied by a carer, responsible adult or a friend.

DO NOT COME INTO OUR BUILDING IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, HAVE RECEIVED A POSITIVE TEST RESULT OR HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ANYONE WITH A POSITVIE TEST IN THE LAST 10 DAYS, OR IF YOU HAVE A HIGH TEMPERATURE, A CONTINUOUS COUGH OR AN ALTERED CHANGE IN TASTE OR SENSE OF SMELL OR ANY OF THE RECOGNISED COVID-19 SYMPTOMS.

An important reminder - do not use our GP service like a 'walk-in' centre. All consultations are via a pre booked appointment only. Do not use our general email address to request an appointment. Appointments are booked by submitting an eCosnult or by calling the reception team for something that is urgent. This is so we can safely manage the urgency of a patients needs and ensure you are seeing the most appropriate healthcare professional available to you.

Appointment statistics - During the 52 week period of 15th November 2021 to 13th November 2022 Loxwood Medical Practice had a total of 42,868 appointments with all clinicians. Of these 35,674 were face to face an average of 83%. Unfortunately during this same period a total of 1,079 patients did not attend their appointment as planned.

Cancellations - If you cannot attend your appointment for any reason it is important that you let us know as soon as possible so that your appointment can be used for somebody else.

Click here for our Did Not Attend (DNA) Policy

As a registered patient you can access GP Additional Hours Appointments (GPAH) until 7.30pm on some evenings and weekends at multiple locations across West Sussex. Regular weekend nurse appointments are available at Petworth Surgery for cervical smear tests, wound dressings or respiratory conditions only. If these times are more suitable for you please inform the reception team.

Transport issues - If you have difficulty getting to an appointment here at the surgery due to transport issues, and you live in Loxwood or Alfold only. You can contact Loxwood and Alfold Medical Transport. They are a small charity who can provide transport to an appointment. Please call Helen on 07419 736171 or email loxwoodalfoldmedicaltransport@yahoo.com

Unfortunately the doctors cannot visit you at home if the need is because of a transport issue only. Between the hours of 09.30-11.30 you can call Billingshurst Community Transport on 01403 787696 for assistance to an appointment.

Home Visits

Terminally ill and housebound patients may be visited at home by arrangement. 

Please request a home visit by telephoning 01403 752246 before 11:00.

The receptionist will ask your name, address and telephone number and the nature of your illness so the degree of urgency can be assessed.  The doctors cannot visit you at home due to transport issues. 

Sickness Certificates

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 here: 

https://public-online.hmrc.gov.uk/lc/content/xfaforms/profiles/forms.html?contentRoot=repository:///Applications/PersonalTax_B/1.0/SSP&template=SC2.xdp

https://www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave

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).