Clinics & Services
You and your general practice NHS England » You and your general practice – English
Nursing Services
Our nursing team are available by appointment. The nurses undertake wound care and dressings, removal of stitches, routine immunisations, also contraceptive advice, cervical smears, implant and coil clinics, blood pressure and urine checks, advice on healthy eating, smoking advice and menopausal problems.
They also perform well-person checks, provide advice and education on asthma, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Month of Birth Recall
For patients who are taking regular medication and/or have a medical condition that requires monitoring.
During the month prior to your birthday, you will receive an invitation by email, text or letter asking you to make an appointment for the yearly review of your medical condition(s) including a review of the medication you are taking. This enables you to choose a day and time most convenient to you.
Community Midwives
The midwife provides the full range of midwifery care, including preconception advice, antenatal (pregnancy) clinics and classes; hospitals and home births and mother & baby care at home.
Appointments can be made by completing the Self-Referral Booking link: NHS Royal Devon | North Devon Maternity Services Self-Referral Form
If you have not received your booking appointment details with-in the 10 days specified or are experiencing any issues with the booking form please contact the Maternity Bookings Department on: rduh.maternitybookings@nhs.net
Please note, this service is provided by Royal Devon University Healthcare
Community Nurses
The community nurses provide a comprehensive nursing care service to patients of all ages in their own homes, who are unable to attend the surgery. Often care is undertaken in collaboration with other agencies.
If you wish to contact a member of the community nursing team, they are available from Monday to Friday, 09.00am to 4.00pm and can be contacted via their mobile 07789 031190.
If you are asked to leave a voicemail, please leave your name, number and date of birth and they will get in contact with you as soon as they can.
For other enquiries please leave a message with the patient services team and a nurse will contact you on their return to the office.
For out of hours care please telephone 111 and they will triage your call and arrange for care provision as appropriate from either a GP or nurse.
Please note, this service is provided by Royal Devon University Healthcare.
For more information please contact the patient services team at the surgery.
Non-NHS Services
Services which are outside the NHS Contract
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. If GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge.
Your questions answered:
Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: for example, medical reports for insurance companies.
Surely the Doctor is being paid anyway?
It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the Doctor’s costs.
In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving GPs in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked to do non-medical work is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:
- accident/sickness insurance certificates
- private medical insurance reports
- Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
- Holiday cancellation claim forms
- Referral for private care forms
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
- medical reports for an insurance company
- some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
- occupational health examinations
I only need the GP’s signature – what is the problem?
When a GP signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the General Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the GP might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the GP with the General Medical Council or even the Police.
What can I do to help?
- If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight
The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.
Insurance Leaflet – Private Non-NHS Work, Forms and Insurances
