Lawns Medical Practice

28/08/2026

Just a reminder we are closed on Monday for bank holiday. Normal hours resume Tuesday 1st September

20/08/2026

While we are looking for a replacement for Dr Amie’s at the practice we may have less appointments available but are using locum doctors when we can. We apprciate your patience.

10/07/2026

Lawns Medical Practice

Emotional Support Animals and Trained Registered Assistance Dogs

The Lawns Medical Practice requires the owners of unregistered pets and emotional support animals (ESAs) to contact the practice before bringing them inside.

Only trained, registered assistance dogs are legally granted access to clinical areas.

We enforce strict infection control and safety rules, though we often make reasonable accommodations for patients with service and emotional support animals.

The Legal Standing

Assistance Dogs: Under the Equality Act 2010, legitimate assistance dogs are recognized as auxiliary aids rather than pets. They are permitted in GP surgeries, though they may be restricted in highly sterile areas like minor surgery or treatment rooms. In the UK, there is no official central register or legally required proof of training, but dogs should wear identifiable harnesses or coats.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) & Pets: ESAs and family pets do not have the same legal rights of access as assistance dogs. Because of strict NHS infection prevention and control (IPC) standards, as well as risks to immunocompromised or allergic patients, practices have a legal duty of care to implement blanket bans on general pets inside their buildings.



The Lawns Practice does not wish to enforce a general ban on all emotional support animals but does ask for some consideration from the owners.



What to Do When Visiting

If you rely on an assistance dog, you may need formal paperwork, but it is highly recommended to call the surgery ahead of time. This allows us to inform clinical staff and accommodate other patients who might have allergies, phobias, or a fear of dogs.

If you are traveling with an unregistered pet or ESA, you will need to leave the animal outside the premises. Lawns practice recommends:

Securing pets safely outside the building before you enter.

The Lawns practice recommends that you arrange your appointments during the least busy times for the consideration of others.

Created by: A Steele

Created: 26/06/2026

Review date: June 2029

10/07/2026

Please be aware that the dispensary will be closed on Monday 3rd of August between the hours of
12.30 and 2pm for staff training.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

03/07/2026

We are now offering services for coils and implants.
Please book with reception now. First appointments available from 31st July.

26/06/2026

01/06/2026

Important announcement.. regarding changes to Sharps/Clinical waste disposal.

Unfortunately we can no longer accept used yellow or purple lidded sharps bins in at our dispensary. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

If you self-administer injected medication-
*YELLOW lidded sharps bins (NON cytotoxic) need to be disposed of at a participating pharmacy in your area (see full list on link below) or request collection from the district council.
Boots pharmacy in Diss will accept these.

*PURPLE lidded sharps bins (Cytotoxic) waste need collection arranging through the district council.

To request a clinical waste collection (of yellow and purple lidded clinical waste) please visit www.gov.uk/request-clinical-waste-collection

For more information please click on the link below..

Sharps disposal, sharps bin

22/05/2026

Just a reminder we are closed on Monday 25th of May for the bank holiday.
We re open on Tuesday 26th of May as normal.

30/04/2026

Reminder

We are closed for the bank holiday on Monday 4th May