Portland Medical Centre

We have an appointment system for all surgeries. If you wish to see a specific doctor you will be offered the next available non-urgent appointment. We will endeavour to offer same day appointments for urgent problems, especially for babies/children, with the next available doctor. If you think you need to be seen urgently, please telephone as early as possible in the morning, ideally before 10.00am. Emergency problems will be given priority and will be seen as soon as possible at the surgery or at home if necessary. Although appointment times are specified, we cannot guarantee that you will be seen precisely at your appointment time. Unfortunately, medical consultations vary considerably from patient to patient; therefore all appointment times should be considered approximate.

Please remember, an appointment is for ONE person only. Where another member of the family needs consultation - even for identical conditions - please make a separate appointment. We would prefer that children under the age of 16 be accompanied by a parent when visiting the doctor. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend for your appointment, so that we can offer your time slot to another patient.

HOW DO I...
CHANGE MY DETAILS?

Please let us know if you change your name, address or telephone number. It is important that we have the correct information, particularly if we have to refer you to other health care services. If you move out of our practice area we will ask you to register with a GP in new locale as we will be unable to provide you with a full medical service.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN TEST RESULTS?

When the doctor or nurse requests any test to be carried out, they should let you know when the results will be available. Please telephone after 2.30pm when the receptionist will have more time to deal with your call and advise if results are back. Receptionists will only give out details if instructed to do so by a doctor.

HOW DO I...
OBTAIN A HOME VISIT?

Please telephone the surgery before 11.00am if you require a home visit. Home visits should be regarded as a service for the genuinely housebound or seriously ill. Home visiting takes up a great deal of doctor time and we do ask patients to attend the surgery wherever possible as facilities are better for examination and treatment.

HOW DO I...
REGISTER WITH THE PRACTICE?

If you would like to register with this practice, please inform our reception staff. You will be asked to complete an NHS registration form and a practice specific 'new patient' form for each member of your family. This will assist us in assessing your health needs while we wait for your medical records to reach us. You will need to know your previous GP details, including the full address of the surgery. It is not essential to have your medical card with you, but it is helpful for completing the paperwork. You will be asked for proof of ID and confirmation that you are living at the given address.

In order to avoid our busiest periods, we would recommend that you attend between 2.00 and 4.00pm for registrations, avoiding Tuesdays (our baby clinic afternoon). Please note that we cannot accept registrations from patients who live outside our catchment area. A map of the area covered is available to view here or, if you would like to telephone the surgery, our registrations clerk will advise you whether your address falls within the area.