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index | site contents | practice charter | who's who | contact | news | health information | travelling | teaching | useful links |
Patients tell us that they have found the telephone surgeries a useful way of checking results or seeking help or advice from the doctor for a number of different conditions.
It is now possible to book an appointment for a telephone discussion with most of the doctors. If you feel this may be a convenient alternative to a face-to-face appointment for you please ask the receptionist to book you a telephone appointment in the first instance.
Following the success of the initial courses last year, Sue Jarvis, our lifestyle practitioner, will be running further Lifestyle courses this year. These will be advertised and will focus on particular patient groups.
Debbie Wilcox has joined us as the third member of our Practice Nurse team, Debbie completed her Children's Nurse training at Brighton University in 2001 and has worked at Dorset County Hospital. She is enjoying applying her skills in the different world of general practice
In line with the local PCT policy we have changed some patients' prescriptions to specify the brand of drug to be supplied. We have only done this where the quality of the drug is assured and where there are considerable savings for the NHS.
If you find you are unable to make it to an appointment at the Practice or at a hospital clinic it is really important you let the Surgery or Hospital know in good time. There is always someone else who will be happy to take the vacant slot.
A number of patients have been successful in stopping smoking over the past year, many with the help of local Smokestop groups and some with Nicotine replacement or Zyban tablet treatment. Stopping smoking is the best thing any smoker can do for his or her health (and for their family too). If you are considering stopping speak to one of the nurses, health visitors or doctors at the Practice about ways to increase your chance of success.
We held two Men's Health Days last year. We were able to offer simple health checks and advice to some of the people we don't often see in the surgery. The feedback was excellent and we will be repeating this later in the year.
Dr Chall's daughter Isabella was born before Christmas. Mum, Dad and baby are all fine. Dr Chall will be returning to the Practice in April. Dr Frances Watt and the doctors of the Practice are covering her sessions until then.
Dr Stella Bawden and her family are now safely landed in Tasmania enjoying the summer weather as she takes her sabbatical leave. Dr Felicity Quick is looking after her patients until her return in June.
This is proving a success with patients and staff alike. Please use this whenever possible - 755811 - it is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We are still exploring the necessary safeguards so we can offer an email alternative for prescription requests as well.
We have gradually been making some changes to the way in which patients can access the services at the surgery. We have been working to having more appointments available within a shorter time frame. We hope that, with these changes and the introduction of more dedicated telephone consulting time, patients will find they have a useful range of alternatives when they need to speak to or see a doctor or nurse.
In conjunction with South West Dorset Primary Care Trust and the Community Health Council we have recently asked a random sample of patients for their thoughts on access to the surgery and its services.
As she moves into her extended role as Nurse practitioner Tina White, one of our Senior Nurses, is gradually introducing appointments so patients can consult her about a wider range of conditions than those usually seen by the nursing team. Her extended training equips her to deal with a range of acute conditions in adults and children and she always has the back up of one of the doctors.
The cervical smear test is one of the best screening tests there is as it looks for signs of conditions that if left untreated could progress to cancer of the cervix in the future.
We advise all women to have this every three years from about three years after the start of sexual activity until 65 years old. The test is best done about midway between periods regardless of whether you are taking the oral contraceptive or not. It is best postponed in pregnancy and for 3 months after the baby's birth as results then can be misleading.
Our Practice nurses take most of the cervical smears but if you have other concerns or would prefer a doctor to do this please ask.
After any treatment to the cervix more frequent smears, often 6 monthly or yearly are advised for several years. We strongly advise you keep your regular smear test appointments. You should receive a reminder from us.
The results reach us about 8 weeks after the test is done. You should be informed of the result directly from the central records organisation but can always ring us to check. If you have any doubts about when your next test is due or any other questions about cervical smears please ask us.
We always are interested to hear your views of the surgery and the services we provide. If you have suggestions, comment, complaints or compliments please do get in touch with our Practice Manager, Mrs Margaret Johnson.
As you start to plan your holiday or other travel think about the health aspects in good time. We offer a wide range of advice, immunisation and anti malaria treatments at the surgery. For details and to download a copy of our travel form please visit the practice web site.
With tree and flower pollen already appearing the hayfever season is not far away. Local pharmacists can advise about a wide range of products that can be bought over the counter including the newer non-sedating anti-histamines and steroid nasal sprays. If you have a prescription medicine you know works well make sure you have some ready for the start of the season. We hope to add a page of general advice about hayfever to our website soon.
Women of our Practice aged 50-65 will be invited for routine mammography (special Xray examination of the breast) in March and April.
This is a 3 yearly screening test for any abnormality of the breast and can help identify early signs of disease such as breast cancer.
However please remember that most people who are called for further examination do NOT turn out to have cancer. We encourage you to take up the appointment offered. If you have problems of any sort with this do contact us.
Women over 65 will not be routinely invited but may request an appointment by ringing the Breast screening centre in Poole on 01202 665558.
We are aware how difficult it can be to make decisions about your children's immunisation with all the media attention to the possible dangers of MMR vaccination. However we have all studied the original research and subsequent re-analysis in respected medical journals and remain convinced that the standard MMR vaccine is the safe and effective way of protecting your children from unpleasant diseases that occasionally have serious with long-term consequences. We do not believe the single vaccines represent a good alternative as they achieve less good levels of individual and community protection. Any of the health visitors, nurses or doctors would be happy to discuss this further with you.
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