At Fern House Surgery all consultations with a doctor, prescribing nurse, practice nurse and a HCA are by appointment. These can be arranged by phoning 01376 502108 or calling in at reception. For routine appointments we will make every effort to ensure you are seen by the doctor of your choice, but if this is not possible, then an explanation will be given. We offer a selection of pre-bookable and same day appointments. Pre-bookable appointments can be booked in advance with your usual/chosen GP if available. Same-day appointments are booked on the day with one of the GPs on duty.
Please let us know if you cannot keep an appointment as someone else may need it.
Please help us to help you by always cancelling an appointment you are unable to attend or no longer need. If you are unable to attend your appointment, use the cancellation email (fernhouse.cancellations@nhs.net) or call Fern House Surgery and choose option 3 to cancel any appointments
Depending on appointment demand, this service is available between the hours of 08:30 to 15.30. Patients have the choice to submit one of the three following appointment types;
Routine Appointments
We have a number of routine appointments that can be booked up to 4 weeks ahead with the GP of your choice and up to 12 weeks ahead with our Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants (HCA).
Follow-Up Appointments
These appointments can be requested if the Clinician has asked you to book a further appointment or if the Surgery has contacted you to book an appointment, this could be to follow-up any results from tests or for monitoring purposes.
Medication Review
Please note medication reviews are conducted over the telephone with a Pharmacist
These appointments can be requested if you require an annual medication review or before your next prescription is issued.
Chaperone
A chaperone is always available on request.
Home Visits
For home visit requests call 01376 502108 as early as possible, preferably before 10.00am. Sometimes the doctor or nurse will ring you back to assess if a home visit is appropriate and how urgent it is. If you can get to the surgery, please do so. We rely on the good common sense of our patients in this respect. With the facilities at Fern House we can make a much better assessment of your problem. Home visits are for those too ill to come to the surgery and not for patients for whom it is inconvenient.
Evenings and Weekends
GP and nurse appointments are now available in your area during the evenings and at the weekend.
To book an appointment, contact your practice.
Extended Access
As part of our PCN Fern House Surgery now offer extra appointments
Primary Care Networks (PCN) offer a new way of organising care, bringing together all local health and care services in a local area to deliver more joined up care to local populations (Witham & Maldon PCN cover approx. 38,000 people)
The Witham and Maldon PCN consist of 4 practices based in Witham and Maldon; Fern House Surgery, The Witham Health Centre, Collingwood Road Surgery and Blackwater Medical Centre. All practices have diverse clinical teams and a strong motivation to provide the highest quality patient care.
We have a host of incredible staff who are working hard to help deliver our new and innovative services.
These are some of the new roles our PCN offers:
Pharmacists
Clinical pharmacists are experts in medicines, who help patients stay as well as possible by supporting those with long- term conditions like asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure and people taking multiple medicines, to ensure their medication is working.
Mental Health Nurses
Mental Health practitioners support adults whose needs can’t be met by local talking therapies but who might not need ongoing care from hospitals or mental health teams. They can refer patients to a range of services.
Dementia Nurses
The dementia Nurse role is to provide support for people with dementia who are pre diagnosis. To listen and guide people to the support and care they might need.
https://www.withamandmaldonpcn.nhs.uk/local-support-advice/dementia/
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists can access, diagnose, and treat a range of complex muscle and joint conditions such as arthritis and back pain without needing hospital care. They can also arrange access to further treatment, investigations and specialists when needed.
Social Prescriber
Social prescribers help patients manage their social, emotional and physical well being by connecting them to local groups and services that can offer practical and emotional support. These include volunteering opportunities physical activities and even debt and housing advise.
Care Co-ordinators
Care Co- Ordinators help make sure the patients are connected to the right services or professionals at the right time. They can also help people manage their own needs, preparing them for upcoming appointment’s monitoring their health and responding to any changes.
Health and Wellbeing Coach
Health and wellbeing coaches help people manage their own health conditions by developing their knowledge, skills and confidence in dealing with the issue to prevent long term illness or it getting worse.