Extended Hours
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Out of Hours

Out of Hours Medical Care

From Thursday October 1st 2009 ‘Out Of Hours Medical Care’ will be covered by Milton Keynes Urgent Care Services based on the Milton Keynes Hospital Site.

How to Contact

Milton Keynes Urgent Care Services will be available at the following times:

  • 6.30 pm to 8.00 am Monday to Friday
  • All day Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

PLEASE TELEPHONE THE SURGERY AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE ‘OUT OF HOURS’ NUMBER TO RING. 

Information to Give:

When you contact Milton Keynes Urgent Care Services you will be asked the following questions:

  • Telephone number of the patient’s house
  • The patient’s G.P.
  • Address
  • Nature of the illness (symptoms)

What Happens Next?

The telephonist will then pass your call promptly to a G.P.  It is vital that you give a clear history of the patient’s illness so that the duty doctor can reach a reasonable opinion about the appropriate course of action.

The duty doctor will be able to form an opinion as to whether to just offer advice, a consultation at the emergency centre, or a home visit based upon assessment of the patient’s symptoms and medical condition.  In some instances patients are best admitted to hospital and in most cases the staff will arrange this if necessary.

You cannot insist on a home visit.  The decision rests with the doctor and, whilst we sympathise with the difficulties some patients experience, we cannot offer a home visit simply to overcome transport problems if the medical condition does not warrant it.

Consultations

Normally it is most appropriate to see patients at the centre rather than at home for three main reasons:

  • A patient can be properly examined in better lighting settings and observed, if needed, until the condition improves e.g. asthma.
  • There is better equipment and support staff which facilitates a better delivery of care.
  • A doctor can see four times as many patients at the centre in the time it takes to complete a home visit.

IF ALL PATIENTS USE THE SERVICE SENSIBLY FOR GENUINE EMERGENCIES, WE CAN DELIVER A SERVICE THAT IS BEST DESIGNED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THOSE THAT ARE MOST AT NEED.