OTHER INFORMATION

MEDICAL CERTIFICATES

For absence from work through sickness, self-certification is currently valid for the first week. The sick certificate (form SC2) is available from your employer. We do not issue a doctor’s certificate for the first seven days of sickness.

After the first week certificates are obtained as part of a consultation with your doctor. If you are under the care of a hospital doctor, you may ask them to issue your certificate for an inpatient stay or an outpatient appointment.

NON-NHS WORK

We do not have private patients. However, in addition to the care that the doctors give under the National Health Service, they are often asked to provide other services for which a separate charge is made. These include private medical certificates, various medical examinations and reports for employers, solicitors, insurance companies, driving medicals. Please check with the receptionist for the current fee.

CHIROPODY

There is a chiropody department located upstairs in Ferndown Medical Centre. Initial referral is required from a health care professional. Access is via the stairs or lift, situated through the double doors, adjacent to the front door of the medical centre. Appointments can be made by phoning 01202 895071.

SOCIAL SERVICES

The social services department is situated next to the library in Ferndown town centre. The duty officer can be contacted on 01202 877445 on weekdays and, in case of emergency, a social worker can be contacted on 01202 675180 out of normal working hours. Social services can help with home care, meals on wheels, arrangement of residential care for the elderly, services for the disabled and day centre provision. They can advise about disabled driver badges, attendance allowances, child care, fostering and adoption and they can provide counselling help for a wide range of problems, including family and marital problems.

WHAT DO I DO IF SOMEONE DIES?

Although this is a time of sorrow and grief, a number of matters have to be dealt with. We hope that the following information will be of help and guide you through a few difficult days, when certain formalities must be attended to.

If someone dies, call a doctor. There is no need to move the patient. It is a legal requirement for a doctor to confirm that someone has died. If the doctor has recently seen the patient, a death certificate can normally be issued.

The death will need to be registered at the Registry office covering your area.
In the case of an unexpected death, the doctor will need to notify the Coroner who will then advise as to further arrangements.

In the event of a bereavement the doctors and health visitors are anxious to offer any support you need. In addition, the surgery has contact numbers of organisations who can offer help, advice or support.