Common Questions
How to Register
Visitors to the area
Test Results
Hospital Transport
Sick Notes
Comments & Complaints
How To Register
- Please see our practice catchment area page to see if you live inside the practice's catchment area. Provided that you live in the practice area, you are able to register at the practice.
- Bring in your Medical Card to either Hadleigh or Boxford, and sign it in the appropriate place to indicate that you wish to transfer to this practice. If you cannot locate your card, you can complete a purple GMS registration form available at reception.
- In some cases depending on your previous GP, the registration record request can be completed electronically and we will receive your medical records within 24 hours. If this is not possible then it will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to receive your records from Patient Services, NHS Suffolk.
- A confirmation letter and a new medical card will be sent from Patient Services.
Visitors to the area
- If you are staying in Hadleigh / Boxford area on a temporary basis, it is still possible to receive healthcare from the practice.
- If your stay is over 3 months, you should register with the practice permanently However if you only intend to reside in the area less than three months, you should register as a Temporary Resident.
- There is an appropriate form to be completed at the reception desk of either surgery. This form has space for any consultation records and treatment given. This will be returned to your permanent GP once your stay has ended.
- When you book an appointment as a Temporary Resident please bear in mind that you will need to be able to arrive at least five minutes early, so that the necessary paperwork and computerised records can be set up before you see the Nurse or Doctor, this avoids unnecessary delays to other patient's appointments.
- In cases where patients are registered with a practice that is very nearby, it may be more appropriate to attend that surgery, as those Doctors will know the patient better and hold the medical records. In these circumstances the reception staff may ask you to go to your own GP. Obviously in cases where there is a serious injury or illness, or when travel is impossible or inappropriate we will always attend to your needs.
Test Results
Blood tests take between a few hours and a few days (sometimes even longer) to come back. X-rays take a 
week at most. Your doctor may wish you to see him or her once the results are back, or may alternatively ask you to phone up for the results. It is important that you are able to prove your identity when phoning.
For tests of a very confidential nature (Hepatitis B, HIV etc.) we will not discuss results over the telephone at all. For such results you must make an appointment to see the doctor once you know that the results are back.
Please bear in mind that the results of investigations requested by a hospital specialist may not be automatically passed to us too. You may need to contact the specialist direct.
Hospital Transport
If you feel that you need transport in order for you to attend either Ipswich Hospital or any Hospital for an appointment, arrangements can normally be made provided enough notice is given.
Our receptionists will be happy to complete an application form for hospital transport on your behalf. Please telephone the surgery to arrange this at least two weeks but not more than six weeks before your application. When you telephone, you will be asked a series of questions regarding your eye sight, mobility and general medical needs.
Please bear in mind that this service is intended for those that are too infirm to travel on public transport and who do not have any relatives, friends or neighbours who can give them a lift. If you can travel by alternative means, please do consider doing so, as it eases the burden on the hard pressed Ambulance Service.
Sick Notes
We are happy to provide sick notes for any patients who are incapacitated from work. NHS sick notes apply after you have been off sick for more than five days. For the first five days of sickness you need to complete a 'Self Certificate' (Form SC1) which is available from many employers, the Health Centre reception and Social Services. Some employers refuse to accept these statutory forms. In this case it up to them to pay the cost of a private sick note. If you have to pay for one of these, your employer should pay you back.
If you are off work for more than five days you may be required by your employer to submit a Med3 form. This is the normal Social Security sick note. This states that the Doctor has examined you either that day or the following day, and advised you that you should refrain from work for a given period or until a given date.
The second type of sick note is the form Med5. This is where another Doctor (typically a consultant specialist) has advised you that you should not work. On this form your Doctor states that he has received a letter from a named Doctor that you are unfit.
If your Doctor cannot truthfully fill out such forms, asking your Doctor to give you a sick note in circumstances other than above is effectively asking him to lie. Please bear this in mind.
Please also bear in mind that a Doctor can only certify what he can verify, i.e. telling a Doctor that you had flu last week but have fully recovered leaves him/her no way of actually verifying that you did.
Comments & Complaints
Comments
We are happy to accept and consider comments and suggestions from our patients. We have produced a Comments & Suggestions form which is available from reception, so that you can present your thoughts in writing.
We aim to reply to any suggestions or comments made, usually in writing, within a few days.
Should you wish to discuss these please ask to speak to Mr Larner, the Practice Manager.
Complaints
We try to offer you the best service we can at all times. There may be occasions when you feel this has not happened.
We like to handle complaints ourselves since most arise from misunderstandings. It is best for all concerned to put things right as quickly as possible.
If you have a concern or wish to make a complaint please ask to speak to the Practice Manager or if you prefer you can write confidentially to the Practice Manager at the surgery address. The Practice Manager will discuss with you how best to resolve your complaint. This may mean one of the following:
- a verbal explanation
- a written reply
- a meeting with a doctor
- a further meeting with the Practice Manager after he/she has had time to investigate your complaint