21/07/2025
Patient Newsletter Special – Do’s and Don’ts - July - 2025
How to get the best out of your Practice – Top Tips
DO:
1. Allow 3 full working days when requesting your repeat prescriptions, not including the day that you request them.
2. Call to check and/or cancel an appointment, do this using our new “Check and Cancel” service on our new telephone system. Press 1 on the first message, before the main menu.
3. Call the Dispensary between 10am – 4pm for any prescription/medication queries or to ask if your prescription is ready.
4. Call after 2pm for test results (Press 3)
5. Give our reception team a brief description of why you are booking an appointment. They are not being nosey, they are asking to make sure that you get an appointment with the best person to help you.
6. Have realistic expectations when you are referred to the hospital. The hospital’s have their waiting times on their websites : Waiting Times
7. Wear appropriate clothing when coming for investigations/examinations. For example, please wear a short/loose sleeved top if you are having a blood test or having a BP monitor fitted.
8. Have your routine blood test at the Bodmin Blood Hub if requested to book there. They have plenty of appointments through the week and this free’s up the nurse’s time to see more complex patients at the Practice. If you are unable to book online, our reception team can help you.
DON’T:
1. Email us to request an appointment. You may call or use our online consultations service (Klinik) to request an appointment.
2. Call to request repeat medication. It is against national guidance to accept requests for medication over the telephone.
3. Request an “on the day” urgent triage call for something that would be considered a routine ailment, we can generally offer a routine appointment within a week or two.
4. Be rude or use bad language when talking to anyone in the Practice. We understand that you may not be at your best when you contact us, but please be kind. We have a zero-tolerance policy and disrespecting our team may lead to a written warning or indeed removal from our patient list.
5. Leave it too late to book your follow up. If you need a 2- or 4-week follow-up, that can be booked straight away as we have 28 days of appointments available. If you call the day before it is due, we won’t have an appointment for you.
6. Hesitate if you have any feedback about absolutely anything, please get in touch with the Practice Manager – Amanda –Please call or email ciosicb.lostenq@nhs.net.
