Appointments

After 8am please call

• 01326 372502 for appointments at Penryn
• 01209 860170 for appointments at Stithians
• 01326 250861 for appointments at Mawnan Smith
• Or call into into either site

We will do our best to accommodate your preferred time and day but please try and be flexible. Our appointments do book up quickly, so the earlier you ring after 8am, the more likely you are to get an appointment that suits you best.

We know it can take some time to get through on the telephone at this busy time, we have extra staff on the lines to help this, so please be patient and keep trying.

If you would like to see a specific doctor or would prefer a male or female doctor, please make this clear when booking and the receptionists will do their best to accommodate you.

Appointment Mix

The doctors and nurses offer a mix of 'same day' and 'advanced booking' appointments.

Please make your appointment with a Practice Nurse instead of the doctor for the following:

• Minor injuries
• Ear syringing
• dietary and lifestyle advice
• cervical smears
• childhood immunisations
• travel advice & immunisations.

If you need an appointment for either a Coil or Contraceptive Implant fitting or removal, please make this clear when booking the appointment.

You may feel that your problem can be dealt with over the telephone- see the telephone advice page.

Appointments are 10 minutes long. Double appointments are available on request for complex or multiple problems.

We are hoping to set up an online appointment booking system soon which patients will be able to use in addition to telephone booking.

Same Day Appointments

It is important for us to reserve some appointments to book on the “same day” so that we have sufficient capacity to see patients with more pressing medical needs.

If all appointments for the day are booked up, but you feel that your problem must be dealt with that day, then emergency appointments can be booked with the doctor who is on duty for that day. Please do not book with the Duty Doctor unless your problem is urgent.

Advanced Appointments (Booking Ahead)

We know that it is not convenient for everyone to book on the “same day”. We therefore offer the opportunity for patients to book appointments up to six weeks in advance.

Every doctor and nurse has a number of appointments which are available to book in advance.

Extended hours

On two mornings per week, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have appointments available from 7am-8am. In order to book these you need to ring in advance (not the same day).

These are very popular with working people.

Home Visits

If you are not able to come to the surgery due to serious illness the duty doctor may visit you. The doctor may telephone you first.

Please try and phone us before 10 am in order to arrange a home visit.

It is better for patients to be seen at the surgery whenever possible as we have more equipment, treatment and staff available at the surgery.

If you are experiencing problems with transport to the surgery there is a voluntary car service based in Falmouth called Transmedical who will bring you to the surgery for a nominal charge (telephone 01326 317193). T.A.P also provide a similar service (tel 01872 223388)

Please give accurate directions to the receptionist and it is vital that we have a phone number to contact you on.

Telephone Advice

If you feel that your problem or issue could be dealt with by telephone, please leave a message with our receptionist and the doctor will call you back.

This might save you a trip to the surgery and it helps us to manage valuable appointments.

Good examples of matters that may be dealt with outside of face-to-face appointments are: discussion of results, completion of forms, sick notes and medication queries.

Chaperones

The doctors and nurses at the surgery are aware of the difficulties faced by both their patients and themselves when carrying out intimate examinations unsupervised in the consulting room.

Please do not be afraid to request a chaperone of your choice to be present in the room - we will not be offended.

Staff In Training

We are a training practice which means we have a GP in training working with us for a year at a time.

A GP in training is a fully trained doctor usually with several years wide-ranging experience working in hospital before coming to General Practice. The training year is generally the final step before seeking a permanent post as a GP.

There are times when we have medical and nursing students sitting in with the doctor - if you would rather be seen alone please do not hesitate to say so.