To contact a doctor in an emergency when the surgery is closed, ie after 6.30pm weekday evenings and after 1.30pm Thursday afternoons, and throughout all weekends and bank holidays, follow this procedure:-
• Phone the surgery.
• You will be put straight through to the PELC Call Centre at Becketts House, Ilford.
• If your call does not warrant a visit to a Primary Care Centre you will be given advice over the telephone by a doctor.
• Follow this advice.
• If the doctor feels that your condition should be seen by a doctor, he/she will advise you to attend your nearest Primary Care Centre.
• If the doctor feels that your condition is urgent and that a home visit is necessary he/she will visit you at home.
• If you feel that your need for medical attention is very urgent or life threatening, you should call an ambulance immediately (999).
Please give your name, address and telephone number in as clear a voice as possible and also give the name of your doctor. Try to stay calm as this makes it easier for the person on the other end of the phone to get the emergency service to you as quickly as they can.
