FAQ                      

What service is available out of hours?
For emergency cases occurring after the health centre is closed (between 8pm - 8am), please call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Alternatively, our out of hours service will be handled by the Dorset Urgent Care Service - you can call them on 0845 600 1013. For extreme emergency cases, please call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Does the health centre offer a repeat prescription service?
Repeat Prescription - Only in emergencies - We will only offer short term repeat prescriptions to ensure you have sufficient medication and which will give you enough time to see your own registered GP for continued ongoing repeat prescriptions and health review. Because we are ONLY a walk in service now, your own GP should be contacted in the first place.

Does the health centre dispense prescriptions?
Not currently, although there are several pharmacists available in the area. Please ask our reception for more details

How can you make a comment, complaint or suggestion?
We welcome feedback as the service is for the benefit of you, our patients.

Please feel free to discuss your feedback with a member of staff at the health centre, or alternatively you can complete a feedback questionnaire available at the health centre.

If you have a complaint, you can download our complaints leaflet, or ask a member of staff for a copy.

We will then do everything we can to rectify the situation to your satisfaction.

If you are still not satisfied that your complaint has been resolved, you are invited to use the NHS complaints procedure - one of our staff will be pleased to assist you.

What are the patients' responsibilities?

The health centre promotes mutual respect - any patient exhibiting verbal or physical abuse towards doctors or staff will be asked to leave the premises.

Is there parking available at the health centre?
There is extremely limited parking, which is prioritised for the use of disabled patients or for emergencies.

We kindly ask patients to use the street parking, or the pay & display parking at the Sovereign Centre or at the end of the road at Palmerston Road.

There are also bicycle racks available for those wishing to take the healthier option!

Who will have access to your information?
Your clinical records are confidential.

All our practice staff are strictly bound to maintain absolute confidentiality on any personal medical information they may necessarily have access to in the course of their duties.

Access to these records by third parties will only be permitted with express consent of the patient.

Does the centre provide disabled access?
Yes, the centre is fully accessible for patients with disability.

How long will I wait as a Walk In Patient?

The waiting times are often unpredictable and can range depending on the demand for the service. Weekends and Bank Holidays are often our busiest periods.

You will be informed of an approximate waiting time after you have been booked in to see a clinician.

Please be patient and we will assist you as much as possible.

Please feel free to call us on 01202 720174 if you have any queries, our reception team will be happy to help.