Did you know: 1. Hospital doctors in A&E, clinics and wards can issue fit notes for work. These should cover the duration of expected illness and absence from work. 2. You should self-certify for the first 7 days of any illness. You do not need a fit note prior to this. 3. We cannot backdate a new sick note to cover a time when you did not consult with us or another NHS team. For example, if you have taken 10 days off sick with flu, but only contacted us on day 10. We can only issue the fit note from that 10th day. 4. Fit notes can also be issued “may be fit for work” if you are well enough to work but need a phased return, reduced hours or adaptions. 5. You can return before your fit note expires if you feel well enough. There is no requirement for a staff member to be “signed fit” to work by a doctor. 6. In 2022 guidance was updated - nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists can legally certify and issue fit notes (according to their training and competency). Previously only GPs or hospital doctors could do this.
How to arrange an appointment
Arrange an appointment
In general our patients will be able to access urgent appointments within 1 working day or routine appointments within 3-4 weeks. The prioryCARE online form is available for “new health problems”, including urgent appointments between 8am to 1pm Monday to Friday. There are lots of other places that you can get quick advice or care that don’t need an appointment or visit to the surgery.
You will be able to submit non-urgent routine queries across the day, within our "core" opening hours. This includes fit note/test result requests, nurse appointments (e.g. smear, routine asthma review) and our general enquiries tile e.g. to let us know about a blood pressure reading or a change in address.
When we reach our capacity for urgent/on the day appointments, i.e. all appointments are taken and our clinics are full, we may have to direct you to a local pharmacy or NHS111 for further medical input. For more information see this News Post.
I think I need to speak to a clinician but the form is off, what can I do?
You can call us on 01904 404100 every weekday 8am to 6pm. If there is a long wait on the phone, choose the call back option and one of the team will call you back when you reach the front of the queue. You can also ask one of our surgery reception team to help, they will ask you a few questions about your symptoms of query.
Why can’t we book you in tomorrow if Urgent Care clinics are full today?
We need to make sure we have urgent/same day clinics available every day and forward booking would reduce capacity later in the week. Also, when going through your symptoms - the Klinik form has highlighted that there is an urgent problem, this is why we ask you to contact NHS111 or a pharmacy to get medical attention quickly.
What other services might you be directed to?
Pharmacy
If you have a minor/viral illness, please consider using the NHS website or asking your local community pharmacy for advice. Pharmacy First is a national service started in January 2024, to help patients quickly access treatments for seven common minor illnesses. Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice and support decisions about self care treatment with over the counter medicines, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
For patients with symptoms of these conditions, we may signpost you to your local pharmacy or arrange a Pharmacy First appointment with your nominated pharmacy. More information about this service on the NHS website.
NHS111
If you are unsure if your symptoms require same day care or whether another service might be more appropriate, visit NHS self help or contact NHS111. NHS 111 is an easy and convenient way to get urgent help for a wide range of health problems from the comfort of your own home. Highly trained advisors at NHS 111 will assess and direct people to the most appropriate local service, including hospital urgent treatment centres and consultations with a pharmacist. If needed, staff can also arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic. NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) is a digital triage service that uses the same system ("algorithm") as the 111 phone service. The online service is for people aged 5 and over.
Self-referral
- Physiotherapy: If you have a joint or musculoskeletal problem and want to access some exercises or speak to a physiotherapist, use the Your Physio website to see useful stretches, advice and to self-refer to physio.
- Podiatry (foot problems): The NHS podiatry service in York and Selby locality is provided by the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust via White Cross Court and other local community clinics. Patients can now self refer to use this service where appropriate. For more information on what conditions they can treat and to arrange a referral - visit their website here.
- Mental Health: York and Selby Talking Therapies (previously known as IAPT) can support patients over the aged 16 with a variety of mental health related symptoms. You can complete a self-referral form online here or by telephone Monday-Friday 9am-5pm on 01904 556840.
- Urgent eye service: The Community Urgent Eyecare Service provides urgent assessment, treatment or referral for sudden onset eye problems. You should contact your chosen practice by telephone and ask for an urgent eyecare service appointment, visit their website to see local eligible opticians and their contact details
- Midwife: Pregnancy care (also called antenatal care) is the care you have while you're pregnant to help keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. Community midwives coordinate antenatal care locally. If you are pregnant, you can self refer to NHS pregnancy/maternity services using this form.
- Sexual health and contraception: Based at Monkgate in York, YorSexualHealth offer information about sexual health and contraception with confidential, free and friendly services that are available to everyone. For more information visit their website here.To make an appointment contact our central booking and information line on 01904 721111.
- Termination: If you would like advice or to speak to someone about a termination, contact BPAS on 03457 30 40 30 or visit their website.
Dentist
If you have a dental problem, please contact your registered dentist. If you are not registered with a dentist, please contact NHS111 and they can arrange emergency dental treatment as needed.
