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BBC | Health News 2.0RSSBBC News | Health | UK EditionUpdated every minute of every day.Diabetes 'ups birth defect risk'The risk of birth defects increases four-fold if the pregnant mother has diabetes, a study of 400,000 pregnancies in England suggests.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:10:25 GMThttp://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-16873489Campaign to cut smoking in carsA campaign to stop people smoking in cars when children are present, and which could pave the way for a ban, is launched by the Welsh government.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:17:10 GMThttp://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-16872587'A little too much drink' warningDrinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning.Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:39:22 GMThttp://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-16869618 |
WHAT
TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
You must ring your own surgery's emergency number in the first instance. You will be given our telephone number if HertDoc is covering for your doctor. The receptionist will take all your details. They also require a short description of your problem. These questions are to judge the urgency of your condition. The receptionists are fully trained to do a difficult job well, so please provide the information requested. You will either be put straight through to the duty doctor or if they are busy they will phone you back as quickly as possible. The doctor will make an assessment of your problem and decide on the best course of action. This may well be telephone advice. If a consultation is needed you may be asked to attend one of our Out of Hours Centres. If the patient is bed-bound or so severely ill they cannot travel, a home visit may be appropriate. The details of your consultation with HertDoc will be faxed back to your doctor first thing the following working day. Please remember to always telephone HertDoc before attending the Out of Hours Centre as patients presenting without prior arrangement may not be seen. USING THE EMERGENCY SERVICE RESPONSIBLYOver recent years the number of out of hours calls to doctors has risen dramatically. Patients are generally no more ill these days but are often seeking treatment for minor or self-limiting illnesses. If your problem is not urgent please try to wait until normal surgery hours and avoid using the emergency service. Please remember it is the doctor's responsibility to judge whether you need advice or to be seen. He also decides whether a consultation, if needed, is better done in an Out of Hours Centre or at home. It is not your right to have a home visit. There are many advantages to attending an Out of Hours Centre. You may well be seen more quickly. The doctor will have a fully equipped surgery to make examinations and treatment easier. More patients may be seen in a given time allowing the doctor to respond without delay to a serious emergency, should it occur. Remember you or your family may be grateful for this yourselves one day. COMPLAINTSIf you should have reason to complain about the HertDoc service please write with the details to: The HertDoc
Manager |
