Health Care Team

	PRACTICE MANAGER The administration of the Health Centre and the practice is under the supervision of the practice manager Mrs Julia Mercer.
Julia Mercer

	PRACTICE NURSES The doctors employ 3 practice nurses, Sister Lynn Morgan who joined us in 2000 having previously been a member of the Community (district) nursing staff, Sister Chris Cousins and Nurse Caroline Parkin. Both Sister Morgan and Sister Cousins are highly experienced and hold their own surgeries alongside the doctors. Consultations are available by appointment and they can also give advice by telephone. In addition Sister Morgan also holds special clinics for patients with diabetes and cardiovascular problems, particularly high blood pressure and Sister Cousins holds clinics for patients with asthma and lung disease.
Sister Lynn Morgan
	RECEPTIONISTS AND SECRETARY We are fortunate to have an efficient and motivated team who are there to help. We all work closely as a team and endeavour to provide an excellent service to our patients. They have a difficult job, dealing with phone calls and enquiries from several directions. When telephoning for medical attention, the receptionists may ask for a few details which are relevant in order to help you in the most appropriate way. Please rest assured that the rules of confidentiality apply equally to all practice staff.

COMMUNITY STAFF

These staff are employed by the Taunton Deane Primary Care Trust rather than the practice but are based at the health centre and work in conjunction with the doctors and practice nurses. They also provide services for the patients of Creech Medical Centre.

• The Community (district) Nurses provide nursing support for those patients who are unable to attend the health centre. The senior community nurse, Mrs Dibble also acts as an assessor for Social Services and can advise on care needs and support required in the home.

• The Health Visitor provides support services and child health surveillance predominantly for children under the age of 5 and their parents.

• The Midwife holds an antenatal clinic on Wednesday Afternoons

During weekdays, whenever they are at their office desk, you can contact them by telephone:

• Community Nurses: 01823 490778

• Health Visitor: 01823 491261

Messages may also be left for the community staff at our reception

OTHER CLINICAL TEAM MEMB ERS

We are able to provide a range of extended services from the Health centre Premises.

• A counsellor, Mr Paul Keeble holds weekly consultation sessions on a Thursday for patients referred by the doctors or practice nurses.

• A Foot Care Practitioner holds a clinic on a Wednesday afternoons for private patients.

• A physiotherapist holds a weekly clinic at the practice for patients referred by the doctors.

• A dietician holds a monthly clinic for patients referred by a doctor or practice nurse.

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Cervical Smears	Maternity
Child Health Surveillance	Minor Surgery
Childhood immunisations	Respiratory Clinic
Contraception	Secondary Coronary Prevention
Smoking Cessation	Travel Advice
Immunisation Clinic

Cervical Smears

• This procedure should be performed routinely at least every five years. 

• The smear test aims to detect changes in the cervix (neck of the womb) before they become dangerous so that they can be treated. 

• Patients who receive a letter of invitation to attend for a smear should ask to make a double appointment with one of the practice nurses in normal surgery time.

Child Health Surveillance

• The Doctor, together with the Health Visitors, provide a comprehensive child  health surveillance service including hearing, developmental and pre-school checks

Childhood immunisations

• It is essential for children to be fully immunised and we advise that current recommendations should be strictly adhered to. 

Age	Recommended Immunistaions
Approx 2 Months, 3 Months and 4 Months	Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping couch, Polio, HiB and Meningitis C
14 Months	Measles, Mumps and Rubella
4 Years	Diptheria, Tetanus and Polio booster Measles, Mumps and Rubella booster
14 Years	Diptheria, Tetanus and Polio booster

• The practice nurses hold immunisation sessions once a month with the health visitors, and a doctor is available for advice as required. 

• Invitations to attend are sent automatically by the Health Authority who maintain the database of childhood immunisation information

Contraception

• A complete contraceptive service is provided by individual doctors, including the fitting of coils and diaphragms. 

• In addition, the practice nurses can provide comprehensive information, advice and follow up care.

Diabetic Clinic

• All diabetics should have regular medical supervision and therefore special clinics are held by Sister each week. 

• We recommend that all diabetics should attend twice a year routinely. 

• If there are any particular problems Sister is available to provide advice.

• In addition, special annual eye checks are essential to prevent complications and are available from local opticians.

Maternity

• Full maternity services are provided by the midwives attached to the surgery  with the support of the doctors.

Minor Surgery

• All the doctors provide minor surgery services to their patients. 

Respiratory Clinic

• Sister Cousins has a special interest in respiratory disease. 

• With continuing advances in management and drug therapy, it is possible to improve control of asthma symptoms. 

• We recommend that all patients with a respiratory problems should see Sister Cousins at least once a year to maintain optimum control. We will send a reminder when your review is due.

Secondary Coronary Prevention

• Coronary Heart Disease is now recognised as a major health concern and clinics are held every week for patients who have cardio-vascular problems. 

• It is recommended that all at-risk patients attend once a year.  The clinic offers life style advice, a blood pressure check, blood tests and an ECG

Smoking Cessation

• Appointments for smoking cessation advice are available with the Nurse.

Travel Advice

• If you are travelling abroad it is sensible to make provision well in advance of your expected date of travel, if possible a minimum of four weeks. 

• The Health Centre has a full stock of all vaccines and can give full guidance on health matters relating to travel abroad and long haul flights etc.

• Our practice nurses have up-to-date information and would be delighted to discuss your individual requirements. 

• The Health Centre keeps a stock of travel forms that we ask you to complete for the nurse before your appoointment. By assessing your itinery and using computer software she can plan the best advice on your personal travel requirement.

• Please ask for a form at reception or alternatively you can download the form from hereÊ

TRAVEL VACCINE QUESTIONNAIRE
Click for form in WORD format	Click for form in Adobe PDF format
Simply print off a copy and post it or drop it off at the Health Centre

• Please note that you will be charged for some of your holiday vaccinations.