Our receptionists are there to help you with enquiries and to book appointments with other members of the primary health care team.

Appointments with the doctors can be either a 5 minute telephone call; a 10 minute surgery consultation - either at our main surgery at Burford or in the mornings at our branch surgery at Carterton; or a home visit (we usually allow 30 minutes to cover travelling time). You are very welcome to book longer appointments at the surgery if you have a complex or several different problems. It often feels helpful to wait until you have a "list" of problems, but realistically we can't do any justice to it in 10 minutes, and studies have shown that very few people can recall the discussion if several different problems are raised. Please don't worry about making more than one appointment, or you could always book a phone call with your doctor first to find out how long you will need.

Appointments with the practice nurse are again based around 5-minute slots. Although we do not want our receptionists to take medical histories or offer advice, we hope you will understand if they ask for example if the appointment is for a cervical smear - as we then book 20 minutes for this.

Appointments with the district nurses are made by calling them on their separate line - 01993 823718. At present they are managed by the Primary Care Trust which is separate from the surgery management.

Appointments with the health visitor are made by calling her on her separate line- 01993 823521. Once again, health visitors are part of the Primary Care Trust.

Appointments with the podiatrist/chiropodist (who holds a clinic on Tuesday mornings) can be made by calling the Burford Surgery reception number. This is a private service.

Appointments with the midwife can be made by calling the Burford Surgery reception number. She sees patients usually on Tuesdays either at Carterton Health Centre (mornings) and Burford Surgery (afternoons).