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You can keep healthy by:
 Not smoking or getting help to stop
 Drinking no more than 14 units (female) or 21 units (male) of alcohol per week
 Taking regular exercise
 Eating a healthy diet
 Seeing your dentist regularly
 Following your doctor’s advice when taking any prescribed medicines
 Keeping any appointments at the surgery or at the hospital.
Many patients will see a doctor or nurse regularly but others will not. Patients over 75 years who have not seen a doctor or nurse at all within the last 12 months, or patients between 17 and 75 years who have not seen a doctor or nurse at all within the last three years are encouraged to request a consultation for a review of their health.

 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 at our reception or on the HMRC website.
 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).

 We ask our patients to visit the surgery if at all possible, as our doctors can see several patients at the practice in the time it takes to make a single home visit. Home visits are only offered to patients who are unable to get to the surgery for medical reasons. Reception staff will take details from patient and a doctor will phone to assess the need for a visit.

To request a home visit, please:
 Call the surgery on 01564 823182 before 10.30am.
 Be prepared to tell the receptionist about your condition so we can prioritise the most urgent cases and arrange the most appropriate course of action.
 Ensure the surgery has up to date details of your address and telephone number.