Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to the practice Deal with all general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments. Using your own judgment and communication skills, ensure that patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner. Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, and ensure procedures are completed. Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery. Enter requests for home visits into the visit book, ensuring to carefully record all relevant details and referring to duty doctor where necessary. Action repeat prescription requests and ensure that they are ready for collection by the patient within 48 hours, either on the computer or manually. Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non General Medical Services) services, accept payment and issue receipts for same. Enter patient information on to the computer as required. Patient notes and correspondence: Ensure correspondence, reports, results etc. are filed promptly and in the correct records, ensuring that all recent correspondence is available when patients are seen. Open up premises at the start of the day when first to arrive, de-activate alarm and make all necessary preparations to receive patients. When last to leave at the end of the day, ensure that the building is totally secured, internal lights are off and the alarm activated. Ensure that all new patients are registered onto the computer system promptly and accurately Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the partners or the practice manager.