Appointments

Our computerised appointment system allows us to offer you an appointment quickly and efficiently.

You can now also make appointments with the doctors on-line via the link at the top of this page. However, due to the varying time allocations of different procedures you need to book nurse appointments by speaking to a member of staff.

It is our policy to try and offer all patients an appointment with one of our GPs or Nurse Practitioner within 48 hours, and we endeavour to ensure that most patients are offered an appointment with a healthcare professional (doctor or nurse) within 24 hours.

If you require advice please speak to our reception staff. They are highly trained and will treat you very professionally. A brief explanation of the type of service you need from us will help them to direct you to the most appropriate person.

Access to a GP or Nurse 

We continue to try to offer our patients an appointment with a clinician within two working days.

Of course, it is not always possible to offer an appointment within these challenging timescales with a particular doctor of your choice as they may be on leave or sick, but we will endeavour to accommodate your requests where possible.

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.

Please call on 0161 426 0011 or email STOCCG.MarpleCottageReception@nhs.net 

Treatment Room

The treatment room in Marple is a service set up for patients who have minor injuries which may not need to be seen at A&E.

Examples such as those listed below can be dealt with at the treatment room. However we do recommend that you contact them before attending as you will need to make an appointment:

• Cuts & bruises
• Burns
• Ear syringing
• Removal of stitches from hospital procedures

Opening Times

The clinic is open every day. 

To make an appointment please ring 0161 426 9636

Location

The treatment room is located along with the district nursing team at:

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:30am.

You should only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. A GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls.

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse, if you are referred by your GP.

You should also be visited at home by a health visitor, if you have recently had a baby.

Referral Follow Up

Occasionally some referrals take time to be processed subject to different hospital departments. However, if you would like information on how your referral is being processed then please follow the instructions below.

Choose & Book Referrals

If your referral has been made through the Choose & Book system, then you should have been given a document containing a UBRN number, a unique password and a telephone number to call for advice regarding the progress of your referral.

Sickness Certificates

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 sick

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 (where this information was sourced)

Video Consultations

The practice offers Video Consultations with the Doctor.  This service is accessible by Computer, Tablet or Smartphone devices.

A Video Consultation appointment can be booked by telephoning the Practice as usual, and asking for a Video Consultation Appointment. 

Once your appointment has been made, the Telephonist will ask you for an up-to-date email address, where the web link (URL) can be sent along with the relevant instructions below.

To use our Video Consultation Service, you will need to install a Software called Vidyo, see below Guidance.

Video Consultation - Tablet or Smartphone Instructions

Video Consultation - Computer Instructions

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It is best to install the Vidyo Software as soon as you get the email confirmation from the Practice, so that you will be able to start your Video Consultation promptly on the day of the appointment. 

It may be easier and more beneficial to install this software, just in case you wish to use the Video Consultation service in the future. 

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If you experience any issues prior or on the day of your appointment, please contact the practice on 0161 426 0011.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Vidyo?

Vidyo is a Video Conference software which is similar to Skype.  Without this software, you will be unable to use our Video Consultation service.

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How do I Join the Consultation?

The Practice will send you the Web Link (URL) by email. 

Unfortunately, we cannot send them via SMS, due to the number of characters in the URL.

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Do I need to login or create an account?

No.  You do not need to create or login to an account.  

This is where it differs from other video software.  

You will receive a Web Link (URL) by email from the practice.  This will join you directly into the Video Consultation.  

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I've clicked on the URL and nothing has happened?

It can take around 2 minutes for the system to open. 

If you have waited 5 minutes and nothing has happened, please telephone the practice on 0161 426 0011. 

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Why can I see my screen instead of me?

When entering your name before the consultation, there is a box below that says 'Share my screen upon connection'.  Remember for next time the box must not be selected. 

If during the consultation you can see your screen, you will need to stop sharing by selecting the Green Play Icon and select Stop Sharing, see below.