Appointments

At Shepley Health Centre, all patients are seen via appointments only. These can be booked on the day or up to 4 weeks in advance. These can be made in person, by calling at reception or by telephone.

Online Services

Our online system is open to all patients aged 16 and over.

The PATCHs system (there's a link to the system on every page in this website), is used for electronic consultations. The following three links (and also the NHS app), can be used to order prescrptions and view your medical record.

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Home Visits

Home visits are intended only for frail housebound patients, usually elderly, for whom it is impossible for them to come or be brought to the surgery. If you think you, or an elderly relative requires a same day home visit we ask that you phone reception by 10:30am.

Sometimes the problem is more of a nursing or a social nature, in which case it is better to phone the district nurses or social services directly instead. If you are unsure who is the most appropriate person to call, please speak to the receptionists.

The district nurses (who are run by Locala), can be contacted on 0300 304 5555.
Social services (which calls itself Gateway to Care), can be contacted by phoning 01484 414933.)

Appointments for younger patients

Ideally, patients under the age of 16 years attending for an appointment should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Chaperones

The Practice is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. The chaperone may be a family member or a friend.

On occasions you may prefer a formal chaperone to be present, i.e. a trained member of staff. Wherever possible we would ask you to make the chaperone request at time of booking your appointment so that arrangements can be made. Where this is not possible we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request, however occasionally it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.

Your healthcare professional (the doctor, nurse practitioner or nurse) may also require a formal chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our Chaperone Policy. A copy of the Policy is available at the reception desk for any patient who would like to view it.

Chaperone Policy

Telephone Appointments

Sometimes it's not convenient to attend the surgery. You may book a telephone appointment with the doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse if you wish, for advice or to discuss results. Telephone consultation appointments can be made by telephoning or calling in person to the reception desk.

Please note: if an examination may be necessary it is of course better to come in person to an appointment at the surgery.

Sick notes

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 unfit for work

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.

Text Messaging Service

Text messaging enables the practice to communicate with its patients quickly and easily about booked appointments. All patients aged over 16 years will be eligible for the text messaging service. Please note that the text messaging service is limited to 16 years and over in order that adolescents can receive confidential consultations with a clinician here at the practice.

All patients with a mobile telephone number recorded with the surgery are automatically opted-in to the text messaging service.
Patients that do not want the text messaging service will need to inform the surgery.