Salisbury Walk-In Health Centre Opening Hours

01722 331191

Making the best use of your GP appointment

Consultations with one of our doctors or nurses are time-limited and to get the most benefit from them it is helpful for you to be prepared before the meeting and to be ready for a two-way discussion.

This means that, wherever possible, your health concerns can be fully dealt with during the consultation, without the need for a follow up appointment to discuss any issues you may have forgotten to mention during your time.

Due to time constraints during some sessions with patients, we may only deal with one health problem during a consultation and further appointments may need to be made to discuss other health issues. For a complex problem a double consultation can be arranged.

• before the consultation

Our team can, generally, advise you whether your particular health problem(s) can be satisfactorily dealt with by the practice nurse or another health professional within the surgery, rather than a doctor or nurse practitioner. However, patients do not have to inform reception staff of their health problems if they do not wish to do so, and can specifically ask to see a nurse practitioner or GP.

You should not let apprehension prevent them from making an appointment. Even apparently serious symptoms do not mean that you have a major health problem; such concerns should certainly not deter you from visiting us. Our nurses and doctors will also encounter the full range of illnesses and complaints during their careers, so health issues that are potentially embarrassing will not be new to them.

If you are fully prepared for your consultation you will receive the greatest benefit from your  appointment. For example, preparing notes and a list of the questions you want to ask is useful. If the nurse or doctor believes a prescription is necessary they will also need to know the details of any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines that you are taking.

• while you are with your doctor

Making notes during a consultation can help you recall the advice provided. If you are unsure about something or do not understand the language being used, the best time to ask for clarification is during the appointment.

You should also make it clear whether you have more than one health problem or symptom, as it is possible that different symptoms can be linked; this could include providing information on a recent holiday, a pre-existing condition, current medication, a diet and/or any changes in life situation. If medicines are prescribed, the course of treatment and possible side effects should also be discussed.

The Patient Association has produced a booklet designed to help patients get the most out of consultations with their doctor entitled You and Your Doctor. The NHS Choices website also includes a guide for patients to help them with their consultations, entitled 'Questions to Ask'.

Immediate medical care – no appointment needed

If you need health advice and treatment for:

• Minor illness, e.g. infection and rashes, stomach upsets
• Minor injuries, e.g cuts and bruises, burns and strains
• Emergency contraception and advice
• Help to stop smoking

You do not need to make an appointment, walk-in to the Health Centre and we will provide you with appropriate care.  

The service operates on a first come, served basis, unless someone is acutely unwell and needs immediate attention.

This service is available throughout the day, every day.

Accessible medical care – pre book an appointment Available for Registered Patients Only.

If you would like to access:

• Minor surgery
• Maternity services
• Childhood immunisations
• Contraceptive services
• Cervical screening
• Adult injections and vaccinations

 You will need to book an appointment at the Health Centre. Routine appointments are available for registered patients.

Patients need to book a ten minute consultation with the nurse or doctor for routine appointments e.g. where they have a problem already being dealt with by the doctor or for a new problem that has been going on for more than a couple of days. If you know that ten minutes will not be sufficient please tell reception who will book a double appointment.

You can also book appointments longer appointments for health screening, wound care, chronic disease management, antenatal care, immunisations and vaccinations, private medical examinations and reports.

If you are registered with the Health Centre you can also arrange telephone consultations and home visits.

Telephone Consultations

As an alternative to visiting the Health Centre in person, you can ask a receptionist to arrange a telephone consultation with a doctor or nurse.

Home Visits

 If possible please try to telephone reception before 10am if you require a home visit.

A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.

House visits are only available to registered patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the health Centre in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the Health Centre.