By leading a healthy lifestyle and therefore minimising health risks, you will be helping not only yourself but also your doctor.

Please try to attend appointments on time. If you have to change or cancel an appointment, tell the practice as soon as possible.

Please be patient if your appointment is delayed. Delays are often caused by patients needing emergency attention.

Requests for repeat prescriptions should be made to reception, in plenty of time to avoid unnecessary delay in treatment.

Prepare for your doctor, talk to him and give him as much information as possible. It might help to make a note of symptoms before the consultations so you don't forget anything.

Whilst privacy is at all times respected, reception staff may need further details about a visit or appointment to help doctors assess the degree of urgency.

Be sure to notify your doctor promptly of any change of address or family details such as marriage.

Home visits should be regarded as a service for the genuinely housebound or seriously ill. Requests for home visits should be made before 11.00am wherever possible.

If you are in any doubt about the seriousness of an illness, or whether you or a member of your family need a home visit, telephone your doctor for advice.

Similarly night visits should be requested only when felt to be absolutely necessary.

Usually the "on-call" doctor has to be on duty again the next day.

Patients should respect the need for doctors to have enough rest to be fit and alert for the following day's work.