How do I register?

We are very happy to register patients at our practice. Simply fill in the registration form from reception.

You will need an appointment with a healthcare assistant in the first instance who will go through your medical history with you, check your blood pressure and test your urine which is a good screen for health problems.

Important note: 

We are only able to register patients from a defined area in Harringay. Please ask to see a copy of the boundaries at reception, which is incorporated in our practice leaflet.  If you move out of our practice area you are most likely to have to find a doctor in your new area.

Please remember to tell us:

• if you are a carer
• if you have had any previous major illnesses or operations
• if you are on any medication

I am healthy, fit and well.  Do I need to come to the surgery at all?

Yes, at some point.  You will have had health screening done when you first register.  This tests your blood pressure, urine and collects your medical information.  If you are fit and well, then see points 2,3 and 4 below.

1. Babies and toddlers will need to see nurse Colleen for immunisations at the appropriate intervals (see www.immunisation.nhs.uk ) and all babies need a 6-8 week check with the doctor.  8 weeks is probably best.

2. Men and women should have their blood pressure checked every two years by our nurse Colleen.

3. Women aged 25-60 years need to see the nurse for 3-5 yearly smear tests, sometimes more frequently.

4. Anyone who has heart disease or stroke in their family (mum, dad, siblings) and anyone over 35 ought to have their cholesterol checked at least once.

All of the maintenance or 'MOT' type things like blood pressure checks, cholesterol and weight are best managed by Colleen, our practice nurse, as well as what we refer to as 'minor illness' - ie colds, earache, urine infections, coughs etc. 

If you are having health checks elsewhere, please let us know.

Do I always need to see the doctor if I feel ill?

No, not necessarily.  For minor illnesses such as coughs, sore throats, colds, earache, sprains and strains, you should try simple measures first.  (See our section on common conditions and our list of websites on the home page). Many of these conditions improve on their own in good time.

If simple measures do not work you can usually see Colleen, your practice nurse, at short notice.  She can usually advise you on how to get better and offer you any treatments you might need.  If she feels that you need to see a doctor she will ask one of the doctors to see you.

When should I make an appointment with the doctor rather than the nurse?

This is really totally at your discretion but think first whether Colleen can help you.  Is it a minor illness type complaint?  See our page on self help as well.  Have you tried simple measures?  Lumps and bumps, health concerns, unusual mental or physical symptoms or pain, feeling unwell beyond minor illness, moles which change, changes in medication, flare up of an ongoing condition are all reasons to see a doctor.

What constitutes an urgent appointment?

It is sometimes difficult to know what needs seeing urgently by the doctor or nurse.  The following are examples of reasons to see a doctor or nurse urgently:

bleeding in pregnancy

chest pain

asthma attack

a sick child

high fever coupled with feeling very unwell in any body system

very prolonged symptoms which are not getting any better

What are the simplest things I can do to improve my health and live longer?

Eat well - cut down on fatty sugary foods and eat more green vegetables

Drink more water - up to 8 glasses a day for adults unless advised otherwise by your doctor

Stop smoking - ask Nurse Colleen how.  Book an appointment with reception for stop smoking sessions with Colleen - one-to-one.

Exercise regularly - This means getting out of breath for 20 minutes four times a week.  Simple walking every day is not enough unless you are walking briskly.

See our section on links and self-help.

Do I always have to see the same doctor?

Not at all.  In general, it is better to see the same doctor for continuity but you may request appointments with any doctor -  Dr Brothers, Dr Ferrar or Dr Panja.  On occasion it may be difficult to see the doctor of your choice if he or she is on annual leave for example.  In these instances, please see another doctor or you may have to wait several days / weeks to see the doctor of your choice.

For emergency appointments the same day, it will not be possible to choose which doctor you see.

Sometimes, during periods of annual leave or sickness, the practice has locum doctors covering for all three doctors.

Can I get in touch with the doctor or nurse by telephone?

Yes. The team are busy seeing patients most of the day but are happy to ring patients back in case of any urgent query at the end of surgery. 

How does the sick note system work?

We can only issue an NHS sick note after five days of you self-certifying yourself off work.  Most employers have SC1 or SC2 forms which you can fill in explaining that your were off sick.  Sick notes only cover you after this five day period off sick. 

If you require a note from the first day of illness this is deemed a private sick note for which there is a charge of £15.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE TO SEE YOU IN ORDER TO ISSUE ANY NEW OR FIRST SICK NOTE

BUT WE CAN EXTEND AN EXISTING SICK NOTE WITHOUT SEEING YOU.  JUST ASK AT RECEPTION.

I need a form to be filled in or signed - how does that work?

Please leave any form with reception and it will be ready for collection within a week.  Please note, private referral forms, insurance forms and claims are not part of NHS work and a fee will be charged.  WE DO NOT SIGN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS.

How do I request a home visit?

Home visit requests must be made by 10am.

Please remember that home visits are only reserved for patients who genuinely cannot come to the surgery (housebound or disabled patients). Wherever possible it is better for you to be seen in the surgery where treatment facilities are to hand and the doctor will have more time available to see you and other patients.  We can always meet you at the surgery door if you come by car.  The doctor will always phone you first before deciding whether a visit is necessary or appropriate before coming to see you.  For life-threatening emergencies call 999.  If the doctor thinks this is the best course of action, he or she may advise this.

How do I make a complaint?

If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service please ask to speak to Sue Owttrim the managing partner, or alternatively put your thoughts in writing to her or please ask for a complaints leaflet at reception. 

How is the quality of this practice measured and is there any feedback?

We undergo a process of quality and performance management continuously via Haringey PCT.  We work within the framework of the national GP contract which ensures that we are looking after people and their ongoing condtions to a high standard.  For more information on how well we perform please visit www.gpcontract.co.uk.  Also, once a year you will get the chance to fill in a questionnaire to tell us how we are doing.  Please feel free to let our managing partner Sue Owttrim know if you have any feedback - good or bad.

Annually we are also subject to your views through a national patient questionnaire.  The results are presented on a poster in reception for you to see.  We have listened to your feedback and promise to improve the quality of our service.

Other local info:

Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust

Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust is responsible for making sure that people living in Haringey have all the health services they need. These are services provided by GPs, dentists, pharmacists, opticians, and in health clinics and local hospitals.

Interpreters

If you have little or no English you need to ask for interpreting services every time you make a health appointment. This may take a few days. Alternatively you may want to ask a friend or relative to interpret for you if you are comfortable with this.

Help To Look After Yourself

There are pharmacists on all local high streets, who can advise you on medicines to buy to treat minor conditions such as colds, coughs, indigestion and hay fever. They can also help with healthy eating, stopping smoking, and emergency contraception.

NHS DIRECT

If you are unwell, or have a health concern about yourself or your family, you can ring the 24 hour NHS Direct Helpline and speak to a nurse. The nurse can advise whether you need to see a doctor. Interpreters are available.
tel / 0845 4647
web / www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Walk In Centre

You can go to the Walk in Centre at North Middlesex University Hospital, Sterling Way, Edmonton, (buses 34, 102, 144, and 444) if you need to see a doctor or nurse quickly, have a minor accident, or need emergency contraception. It is open 8.30am - 10pm Monday to Friday, and 9am -10pm weekends.
tel / 020 8887 2680

Family Doctor (GP)

A GP will look after your general health needs and refer you to a specialist when you need this. GP services are free. Your GP also will refer you if he thinks you need hospital investigations eg x-rays or treatment such as physiotherapy

GPs DO NOT give advice on benefits, housing, or legal issues. Please do not ask your GP for a housing letter. You need to fill in an “application for rehousing – medical form” available from Haringey Housing Offices or Customer Service Centres or call 020 8489 0000.

Find a GP near to where you live, who can register you straight away. Do not wait until you are ill. You can find a local GP on www.nhs.uk, or ring Patient Services on 020 8370 8100.

When you register with a GP you will need evidence of your identity, and that you are a Haringey resident, and not just a visitor e.g. gas or electric bill, bank statement, Home Office documents.

If you try 3 or more GP practices and they cannot accept you (they should give you a written reason why not) ring 020 8370 8100 and ask to be allocated to a GP

Accident And Emergency Departments

North Middlesex University Hospital - 24 hour A&E department
Sterling Way, London, N18 1QX
tel / 020 8887 2000

North Middlesex University Hospital (accident and emergency eye services)

Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm
Fri 9am-12.00pm

The Whittington Hospital - 24 hour A&E department

Highgate Hill, London, N19 5NF
tel / 020 7272 3070

Ambulance Service

This service is only to be used in life threatening situations. If you or someone else has a serious accident, severe chest pain, loss of blood or suspected broken bones you can telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance. If you are not sure you can ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice.

Mental Health Emergencies ( St Ann’s Hospital, N15)

tel / 020 8442 6706 - 24 Hour helpline

General Information On Mental Health Services

tel / 020 8442 6191

Dentist

Dentists look after your teeth and gums.
You can find a local dentist here ww.nhs.uk or by ringing Patient Services
tel / 020 8370 8100.

NHS dental services are free for:

• children under 16, or under 19 if in full time education,
• pregnant women, and mothers with babies under one year
• people, or their partners, getting income support, job seekers allowance, pension credit, guarantee credit or tax credit
• people with HC2 exemption certificates

Everyone else has to pay.

When you register with a dentist, you need to say that you want NHS treatment. If you don’t, you will be treated as a private patient which is much more expensive.

Dental Access Centre

If you need dental treatment, and have not yet registered with a dentist, you can go to the Dental Access Centre
tel / 020 8807 7841
And for emergency treatment between 6.30pm to 8am and at weekends ring
tel / 020 7391 6366

Optician

An optician, sometimes called an optometrist, can test your eyes if you are not able to see clearly. Find a local optician here www.nhs.uk or by ringing Patient Services
tel / 020 8370 8100.

NHS sight tests are free, if you:

• are under 16 or under 19 if in full time education
• are over 40 and a near relative of a person who has glaucoma
• are over 60
• you or your partner are getting income support, jobseekers allowance, pension credit, guarantee credit, or tax credit
• need complex or powerful lens
• are registered blind or partially sighted, have diabetis, glaucoma or ocular hypertension
• have a HC2 certificate

Everyone else has to pay.

You may also qualify for help to pay for your glasses or contact lens, and need to ask the optician. If so you will be given a voucher, which you can take to any optician to choose your glasses. You may have to pay the difference if the glasses you choose are more expensive.

Pharmacist

If your GP prescribes medicines for you, he will give you a prescription form to take to the pharmacist. There are pharmacies on all local high streets, find your local pharmacist here www.nhs.uk or call patient services:
tel / 020 8370 8100

You will have to pay £6.50 for each medicine unless you are entitled to free prescriptions because you:

• are under 16 or under 19 if in full time education
• are over 60
• have certain medical conditions
• are pregnant or have a baby under one year old
• you or your partner are getting income support, jobseekers allowance, pension credit, guarantee credit or tax credit
• have an HC2 certificate or war pensioner exemption card.

The pharmacist can also advice you on medicines to take for simple medical conditions such as colds, hay fever, or rashes, help you with healthy eating, stopping smoking, and emergency contraception.

Family Planning And Contraception Services

You do not need to make an appointment to attend the clinics, and most have a female doctor, and nurse. You can get free condoms or contraceptive pills, a pregnancy test, cervical smear, emergency contraception and advice about abortion. Emergency contraception is also available at the Walk in Centre, North Middlesex Hospital. To find which clinics provide this service in Haringey, type 'Family Planning' into the search box on the top left on this page or call:
tel / 020 8442 6810.

4YP

Is A Free Confidential Sexual Health Service For Young People (Aged18 And Under) In Enfield And Haringey. Visit the website www.4yp.co.uk for information about the interactive 4YP bus, and drop in sessions. Whether you need free condoms, pregnancy test, or a confidential chat about relationships and sex, 4YP is for you.

Sexual Health Clinic

You can get advice and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases at this clinic, which is at St Ann’s Hospital, St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, London N15 3TH. It is an appointment only service between 9.30 and 13.00 Monday to Friday.
tel / 020 8442 6536 (to book an appointment)
tel / 020 8442 6605 (General Enquiries)

Drug Advisory Service Haringey (DASH)

This service provides advice, information and help, for everyone in Haringey, on drug related issues.
tel / 020 8442 6498

Haringey Advisory Group On Alcohol (HAGA)

Offers advice and help for Haringey residents and their families who are affected by alcohol misuse.
tel / 020 8800 6999

Hospitals

(Both have a 24 hour accident and emergency service)
North Middlesex University Hospital Sterling Way, Edmonton London N18 1QX.
tel / 020 8887 2000
Whittington Hospital, Highgate Hill. Archway, London N19 5NF
tel / 020 7272 3070

Patient Advice And Liaison Service (PALS)

PALS give advice and information about health services, social services and community services, and give confidential help in solving any problems.

Haringey Primary Care Trust PALS
tel / 020 8442 6859
North Middlesex University Hospital PALS
tel / 020 8887 4172
Whittington Hospital PALS
tel / 020 7288 5551