Patient information

Blood Tests and Laboratory results

Blood tests

Blood tests are ordered by the Doctor in all circumstances.

Bloods tests are ordered following consultation and examination of the patient only.

It is not possible to oder blood tests without consulting your Doctor.

Laboratory Results

All patients are asked to contact the surgery for their blood results.

Please select “option 1” when you phone the practice and leave your name, date of birth and phone number.

In most cases lab results will be given out by a GP or Nurse within 24 hours.

For all other test results: Once you contact the surgery an admin team member will first ask you for your name and address in order to check your file and make sure we have received your test results before putting you through to a nurse. This is done to save the nurse’s time as sometimes results do not come back within the estimated time frame.

N. B.  Please bear in mind that due to the great number of test results received in Rathkeale Medical Practice daily, it is sometimes difficult for the nurse team to take all the results calls.

If this is the case when you phone in, a member of the admin team will take your name and number and pass a message onto a nurse. The nurse will then call you back with your results at a later stage.  

In most cases lab results will be received back to the surgery 10 days after the tests have been taken.

Using your Medical Card

The GMS medical card entitles holders to a wide range of medical services from their nominated GP / surgery.  These services are provided to the medical card holder free of charge and include standard consultations for treatment of illnesses and related services necessary for the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions.

Full medical card and ‘Doctor Only’ medical card holders are entitled to the same services free of charge within the surgery.

There are, however, some services which are not covered under the Medical Card scheme.  The most usual services requested which are not covered by the Medical Card scheme are:

• Medical Examinations or Reports for Legal Purposes

• Examinations relating to Insurance Policies

• Examinations relating to Fitness to Drive Including Eye Test

• Medical certificates for Employer

• Miscellaneous Forms

• Pre-Employment Examinations

• School Entry Examinations

• Examinations in connection with fitness to take part in sports

• Some Vaccinations (including travel vaccinations)

• Some Family Planning Services

• Dressings, STI Screening, Audiograms & Spirometry.

• Some community surgical procedures

GMS Medical Card patients requesting any of the above services are responsible for the relevant fees.

FORMS

• Forms and certificates that require a doctor signature are subject to a fee

• Please confirm fee with reception at time of dropping off form (starting from E25).

• Please allow at least 1 week for completion of any forms and certificates

Phone call process (When to ring)

Rathkeale Medical Practicel operates a strict ‘no interruption’ policy during standard surgery hours. This policy means that, with the exception of a medical emergency, GP's and Nurses do not take routine phone calls whilst they are in consultation with patients. This policy is in place to ensure that the patient receives a focused and uninterrupted consultation when they visit their GP/Nurse.

In the case of an emergency a patient call will be placed through to a doctor. If you feel that you urgently need to speak to a doctor please inform the receptionist as soon as you make contact.

For routine queries please contact your GP or nurse after their surgery sessions. For most GP's/Nurses surgery sessions are finished at approximately 12.15pm and 5.15pm Monday to Friday.

Social Welfare Certs

Patients requiring a Social Welfare certificate must discuss their symptoms with a GP or provide correspondence from another doctor to qualify for the first Social Welfare certificate.  You will be requested to provide your PPS number and exact dates from which the Social Welfare certificate is due.  Patients will be reviewed at the request of the GP and you must present when requested for cert review.

Certification in the event of Covid isolation of positive Covid test may be completed online .

Please visit, https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/covid-19-payments/illness-benefit/

When the patient is fit to return to work they are no longer required to obtain a final Social Welfare cert.

Sick Certification requested by Employers

Patients requiring a private sick cert for work, should call Rathkeale Medical Practice on 069 64304.  Please note a fee applies to this service.

Details of the request will be forwarded to your GP and certs are usually available for collection the 24 hours later.  You may be required to see your GP prior to receiving a sick cert.

Baby Vaccination

2 Month and 4 Month Vaccines

We recommend that you give your child 3 doses of liquid infant paracetamol (Calpol) after the first and second visit (at 2 months and 4 months of age).

1. Give 2.5 mls (60 mg) of liquid infant paracetamol shortly after the vaccine has been given.

2. Give a second dose of 2.5 mls (60 mg) 4 to 6 hours after the first dose.

3. Give a third dose of 2.5 mls (60 mg) 4 to 6 hours after the second dose.

If your child still has a fever, give a fourth dose of 2.5 mls (60 mg) 4 to 6 hours after the third dose.

6 Month, 12 and 13 Month Vaccines.

Your child does not routinely need 3 doses of liquid infant paracetamol after these visits.

However if they have a high fever over 39˚C (feel much hotter than usual), or they appear distressed, you can give them:

1. milk or cooled boiled water; and

2. liquid infant paracetamol or infant ibuprofen – follow the directions on the package.

If you are worried about your child, please contact your GP (doctor), practice nurse or public health nurse at your local HSE clinic for advice.

POST Vaccination advice

Your child will receive scheduled vaccination injections.  The vaccine helps your child fight off or prevent certain diseases and is given as an injection.  The vaccination stimulates your child’s immune system to make antibodies to fight the disease.  Serious major reactions are extremely rare however minor reactions are common following childhood vaccinations, these include:

• Tenderness, slight redness, small lump at injection site

• Slight temperature

• Decrease in appetite

• Off form/irritable

• Lack of energy

• If you are worried about your child, please contact the practice for advice.

Shannondoc

When should I use this service?

• Shannondoc provides Urgent out-of-hours medical services when your GP surgery is closed.

• It is not for routine enquiries such as requesting repeat prescriptions, test results, booking an appointment, medical certificates or employment medical requests.

• Shannondoc is a service provided to patients whose family doctor is part of the Shannondoc Co-op.

• Shannondoc is NOT a walk-in service. You must have an appointment.

• Call Shannondoc 0818 123 500

  
  

  NON-urgent medical problems

Please phone your GP practice when it is next open.

Emergencies

If you feel your medical problem is life-threatening call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Operating hours

Monday - Friday
6:00 pm - 8:00 am

Weekends and Public holidays
Open 24 hours