APPOINTMENTS
To seek medical help please use the askmyGP or phone reception. You will be asked to give a brief outline of the nature of your medical problem to help us direct you to the most appropriate member of our team. It is useful to specify any times that you may be unavailable so that the GP can ring at time that is convenient for you to accept the call.
Following this triage we are able to offer an appointment with the appropriate clinician for the appropriate amount of time having arranged appropriate tests and paperwork beforehand. We also find that many issues can be dealt with by a phone call alone and saves you a visit to the surgery.
If you want to contact a specific GP you will need to phone on the day that they are working
For those who are unable to use this system, e.g. hard of hearing, please let the receptionist know and they will make alternative arrangements.
Please note that booking appointments to see a Nurse or HCA has not changed. These can be pre-booked in the usual way.
This service is available Monday to Friday until 16:30 - we respond in working hours, 8.30 am to 6.30 pm Monday to Friday (not Bank Holidays)
In working hours, we can usually get back to you within 1-2 hours - you will need to check your emails for a reply.
All our registered patients are welcome, and a parent or carer can use askmyGP on behalf of a child/dependent.
You can request a particular named GP if you wish.
You may prefer a telephone or email response.
You can login now, without any paperwork.
Please note that sometimes replies will go to Junk folders so please check all inboxes for your response and make askmyGP a trusted source to fix this and prevent them from being sent to the Junk folder in the future.
Practice Nurses
In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many problems and you may be seen more quickly.
Medical and Nursing Students
We provide work experience for medical and nursing students. If a student hopes to be present in a consultation you will be asked for your permission beforehand. The student will withdraw if you prefer.
Cancellations
If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.
Disabled Access
There is disabled access at Milborne Port Surgery. The surgery entrance has a ramp and wide electronically operated doors to allow for a wheelchair access. Please note that there are steps leading to Templecombe Surgery. Milborne Port Surgery also has a wheelchair available to use within the premises, please ask at reception should you need it. For patients who have hearing difficulties there is a loop system on the front desk to assist you.
Mothers and Babies
Baby changing facilities are available. If your baby needs breast-feeding please ask at Reception and a quiet room will be made available.
Chaperones
All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. This chaperone may be a family member or friend. On occasions you may prefer a formal chaperone to be present, i.e. a trained member of staff.
Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.
Consent
Click below to view our Patient Consent Policy
Consent Policy 2020
Improved Access
Milborne Port Surgery, Queen Camel Medical Centre, Bruton Surgery, Millbrook Surgery in Castle Cary and Wincanton Health Centre are now working collaboratively to offer appointments to their own and each other’s patients who cannot easily access primary care services during normal working hours. From October 2021 four of the practices in turn will again offer extra appointments with a health care professional between 6:30pm and 8:00pm Monday-Friday and Queen Camel will offer appointments (for all practices) between 9:00-10:30am on a Saturday morning. Millbrook Surgery will additionally offer appointments from 7:30-8:00am on a Tuesday morning. The appointments will be with the host practice staff, not necessarily your registered practice staff.
To book an evening or weekend appointment please contact your registered practice during normal opening times, this will help us to signpost you to the most appropriate option for your particular problem. By contacting us we can fully explain the process, to ensure that the booking is appropriate (as we hope to be able to meet your needs by offering an appointment with your usual GP) and cover all the relevant information (and consent) that we need to before we book an appointment for you.
You need to agree to your medical record being shared with the host practice who are providing your appointment. The clinician providing your appointment needs to have full access to your medical record. There is an opportunity to access same day appointment on a Saturday at Queen Camel Medical Centre. These are allocated on a first come first served basis by calling the practice.
Patients are reminded that the extension to routine GP services at evenings and weekends does not replace the current Somerset Out of Hours Urgent Primary Care Services. If patients or their family members become ill after 6.30pm or at the weekend and need medical advice or help outside of practice opening hours, they should continue to call NHS 111.
If you would like an appointment during one of these sessions, please contact your registered practice and request an “Improved Access” appointment. This is NOT a walk-in-service and anyone would turns up to a practice without a pre-booked appointment will be asked to contact the Out of Hours Service.
If you or somebody you are with becomes very unwell or has life threatening symptoms then please call 999.
If you have a non life threatening emergency please call NHS 111. It is fast, easy and free. A highly trained advisor supported by healthcare professionals will assess your symptoms and direct you to the best medical care for you.
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals who are able to advise you on treatment for common problems and also help you to decide if you need to see a GP.