Home visits

If you do need a home visit please complete an e-consult. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00 am.You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your 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 callsYou 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 or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Been off work?

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)

If not the doctor?

Where should I go and who should I see, if not my GP?Often your GP might not be the fastest or most appropriate way to get the help or care you need.Your pharmacist may be able to help with:

• skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema

• coughs and colds, including nasal congestion and sore throat

• minor cuts and bruises

• constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)

• hay fever and allergies

• aches and pains, such as headaches, earache and back pain

• indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms

• period pain and thrush

• warts and verrucas, mouth ulcers and cold sores

• athlete's foot

• nappy rash and teething

Some pharmacies also provide truss fittings, stoma products and incontinence supplies.

Minor ailment services

Some pharmacies run a minor ailment scheme, which means they can supply medicines for certain conditions on the NHS.If your pharmacy runs a minor ailment scheme that includes eczema, for example, it means your pharmacist can supply medicines for this condition and you'll only pay the standard prescription charge.If you're exempt from paying prescription charges – because you're under 16 or over 60, for example, or you have a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – you won't pay for the medicine. Just ask at your local pharmacy.
Where should I go and who should I see, if not my GP?Often your GP might not be the fastest or most appropriate way to get the help or care you need.

Go to a walk-in centre for:

Wound and dressing care, ear syringing, minor lacerations and cuts, leg ulcers / infected woundsIf an injury is not serious, you might be able to get help from their minor injuries unit (MIU), rather than going to an A&E department. Telephone them for advice.The nearest walk-in centres are:1. Finchley NHS Walk-In CentreTel: 020 8349 7470Finchley Memorial HospitalGranville RoadLondonN12 0JEOpening Hours 8am - 9pm everyday2 miles away2. Haverstock Healthcare (Barnet Hospital)Urgent Care CentreBarnet General HospitalWellhouse LaneBarnetHertfordshireEN5 3DJOpening Hours 9am - 11pm3.2 miles away3. Chase Farm HospitalTel: 020 8375 2999127 The RidgewayEnfieldMiddlesexEN2 8JLOpening Hours 8am - 10pm everyday3.3 miles away4. North Middlesex University HospitalTel: 020 8887 2000Sterling WayLondonN18 1QXOpening Hours 9am - 10pm everyday3.4 miles awayWhere should I go and who should I see, if not my GP?Often your GP might not be the fastest or most appropriate way to get the help or care you need.Go to accident and emergency (A&E) for:

• head injuries

• loss of consciousness

• suturing (stitches)

• foreign bodies

• suspected broken bones

• heavy blood loss

• persistent chest pain

• difficulty breathing

• overdose or poisoning

• acute confused state

• fits that are not stopping

• severe allergic reactions

• severe burns or scalds

Call an ambulance on 999 or go to:North Middlesex University Hospital, Sterling Way, London, N18 1QX, 020 8887 2000Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 3DJ, 020 8216 4600

Booking travel

If you have an appointment at the hospital and you are not able to make the journey yourself you may be able to get transport form the hospital. Call 0333 240 4909