FELIX HOUSE SURGERY Middleton Lane, Middleton St George, Darlington DL2 1AA Telephone: 01325 332022 (for urgent enquiries, repeat prescriptions, test results & general enquiries.) INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
FELIX HOUSE SURGERY The practice is a partnership of four doctors working as part of the primary health care team. Together with the practice nursing team, community nurses, community midwives and health visitors, with support from the managerial, reception and secretarial staff, we aim to provide an excellent standard of practice and care for all patients irrespective of age, race or gender. We strive to provide a high level of professional competence, good relationships with patients and colleagues, and observance of professional ethical obligation. This booklet is designed to help you make the most of the services we offer. Please read it carefully and then keep it where it is readily available. As well as aiming to provide a high standard of medical care we try to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The General Practitioners Dr Adrian J Marshall (male) MB BCh (Belfast) 1980 MRCGP Dr Patrick J L Holmes (male) MB BS (London) 1993 Dr Ana Ramos (female) LMS (Spain) 1989 Dr Audrey Smith (female) MD (USA) 2006 The Practice Staff Practice Manager Mrs Liz Stewart is responsible for the day-to-day running of the practice. She will be happy to discuss any non-medical problems that you may have and also receive any suggestions for improving the services offered. In her absence, the deputy practice manager, Mrs Denise Soulsby, will be able to help. ADMINISTRATION AND Reception Staff The partners employ two medical secretaries, and six medical receptionists who are fully trained to deal with your needs. They make appointments, take messages, arrange repeat prescriptions, book home visits, and inform patients of test results, where appropriate, when the doctors have seen and approved them. In order to obtain the best possible service they may sometimes need to judge the urgency of your request by asking a few questions. Please rest assured that the rules of confidentiality apply to all practice staff. Dispenser We have a trained dispenser who will be happy to help you with any queries you have with regard to your medication. Nursing Team Our nursing team comprises of two practice nurses, Mrs Pauline Kilmartin and Ms June Halladay, a healthcare technician Ms Samantha Edwards and a phlebotomist Mrs Glenys Maxwell. The practice nurses are trained in providing chronic disease management, well person checks, travel vaccinations, childhood immunisations, ear syringing, wart removal, stitch removal, dressings, injections, cervical smears and minor surgery in conjunction with the doctors. The healthcare technician performs bloods pressure monitoring, blood tests, ECGs, ear syringing and lung function tests. STAFF ATTACHED TO THE SURGERY Community Staff There is a team of community nurses attached to the surgery. If you are confined to your home and need nursing assistance, your doctor or the hospital will arrange for them to visit you. Health Visitor The health visitor gives advice on you and your family s healthcare and runs a clinic at the surgery for development checks. Midwife We have a community midwife attached to the practice. She looks after all pregnant ladies and visits new-born babies at home. An antenatal clinic is held weekly at the surgery. Counsellor A trained counsellor runs a weekly counselling session at the surgery. Clients are referred by the doctors. Opening Times Felix House Surgery Monday to Friday 8.30am - 6.00pm Consultations are by appointment but urgent problems will always be seen the same day. For the latest information click to: www.felixhousesurgery.co.uk
Enriching the Lives of Older People Moorlands Care is a small, family-run business, offering a complete range of care services for older people. We provide the help you need to maintain your independence. Call now for advice or to discuss your needs and arrange a free trial to see if we are right for you. Telephone (01325) 487413 / 353592 www.moorlandscare.co.uk Meals on Wheels Laundry Service Personal Care Housework Shopping Bathing Respite Care Residential Care 57-61 Stanhope Road North, Darlington DL3 7AP Why not stay in the comfort of your own home? Homecare allows older people to enjoy the comfort and security of living in their own homes. The Care in the Community Act, which became law in the early 1990s stated that people who are finding it difficult to manage at home, through infirmity, illness or disability, should be given the help and support they need to allow them to live in the community, amongst their friends and relatives, for as long as they are willing to do so. There is a wide range of services available from both the local council and also from private, registered homecare agencies who are dedicated to providing those in need with the correct levels of help and support they need. These services can vary from fifteen minutes up to twenty-four hour care. The services offered cover areas such as: personal care, housework, shopping, bathing, social care, sitting service, etc, in fact anything the service user may need. Some agencies can also provide an old fashioned hot meals on wheels service and a laundry service. The service will be provided by trained and checked carers, working with the overall aim of enabling older people to receive the help they need to improve their quality of life, whilst remaining in the comfort of their own homes. If you believe that you would benefit from this type of assistance then you can contact your local care agency who will then assess your needs. Attract more business by placing your advert here. Simply call 0800 0234 196. ADVERTISING FEATURE Appointments Appointments may be made by telephoning 01325 332022 or by calling at the surgery. Online booking is now also available via our website. Routine appointments may be made in advance (maximum six weeks), which will enable us to offer you an appointment at a time most suitable to your requirements. If you cannot keep an appointment, please inform us as soon as possible. If you are confronted by a serious problem such as severe chest pain, collapse or severe bleeding call an ambulance (tel: 999) before calling the surgery. Home Visits Patients are requested to telephone before 11.00am if a visit is required that day. Please give the receptionist as much information as possible to enable the doctor to allocate priority to house calls. Please remember home visits are only made to patients who are too ill to attend surgery. Weekend And Night Cover Weekend and night cover is provided by the local doctors deputising service. This is accessed by telephoning 111. NHS Walk-in Centre Provides healthcare advice, information and treatment - no appointment necessary. Open 8.00am - 6.00pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays - Dr Piper House, King Street, Darlington. From 6.00pm - 8.00am patients to attend Darlington Memorial Hospital, A & E Department. Repeat Prescriptions Repeat prescriptions will be issued at the doctor s discretion and are normally for patients on long-term treatment. Requests for prescriptions can be made either in writing, stating your name and date of birth and listing the drugs and dose required, or by using the right hand side of a previous prescription form. You can also order online via our website. Two working days should be allowed for your prescription to be processed. By post to Felix House Surgery (please allow two days postage time in addition to the two working days for the prescription to be processed). By leaving your request at Felix House Surgery or Middleton Pharmacy. For the latest information click to: www.felixhousesurgery.co.uk
What would a Gardener do for YOU? Many people derive great pleasure from working in their garden, benefiting from the fresh air and exercise, as well the enjoyment of looking at, or weather permitting, sitting in, a well-cared for garden. But what happens if there are areas of your garden, or sometimes even the whole garden which you are just not happy with. Perhaps your circumstances have changed and you are no longer able to do all the weeding, or mowing the lawn and really need a relatively maintenance free garden. A gardener will assist you with ideas to change and layout your garden and offer suggestions on what will work well. They will also put together a regular maintenance programme, to include things like trimming hedges, weeding borders and mowing the lawn, which will ensure that your garden is always weed free and looking good. Of course, you can contract your gardener to do as much or little as you wish retaining some of the work for you to enjoy. So contact a local firm, get the garden you have always wanted and let some sunshine and light ADVERTISING FEATURE Alternatively: By email to Felix House Surgery: felix.house@nhs.net including your name and date of birth, and listing the drugs and dose you require. Patients can also visit the practice website www.felixhousesurgery.co.uk and register for SystmOnline - details available from reception. Detailed instructions only will be processed. This facility is strictly for repeat prescriptions and should not be used to communicate any other matters. Please allow two working days for your request to be processed. Exceptions to the above are patients living in Sadberge and Long Newton and also the housebound who are able to order by telephoning the surgery on 01325 332022. Dispensing We have provision to dispense to patients who live more than one mile from a pharmacy. The health service regulations on this matter are very strict and this service can only be offered to those patients who register as dispensing when they join the practice or when they move house. For further information, please telephone the surgery and a member of our dispensary GP ad 65x94mm.qxp:Layout 1 23/1/08 10:42 Page 1 back into your life and garden. staff will be pleased to answer your enquiries. Seaton Leng & Son Ltd Funeral Directors Established 1891 59a Bondgate Darlington Co Durham DL3 7JR Tel (01325) 465647 Family Run Business Serving The Community For Over A Century PRACTICE BOOKLETS are specially prepared by Neighbourhood Direct Ltd A MEMBER OF THE OLDROYD PUBLISHING GROUP LTD Keenans Mill, Lord Street, St Annes-on-Sea, Lancs FY8 2ER Tel: 01253 722142 Fax: 01253 714020 Website: http://www.opg.co.uk Email:info@opg.co.uk COPYRIGHT WARNING: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. The practice would like to thank the various advertisers who have helped to produce this booklet. However, it must be pointed out that the accuracy of any statements cannot be warranted, nor any products or services advertised, be guaranteed or endorsed. Transplants save lives Join the NHS Organ Donor Register 0300 123 2323 www.organdonation.nhs.uk Clinics Antenatal Clinic Patients are seen by the midwife at the clinics by appointment and also by the doctors during surgery hours. Baby Clinic The baby clinics are run by the health visitor for child developmental checks and allow an opportunity to discuss other problems, eg sleeping, feeding and child health worries, with a doctor or health visitor. Asthma Clinic This is run by a practice nurse in conjunction with the doctors, by appointment only. Diabetic Clinic This is run by a practice nurse in conjunction with Dr Holmes, by appointment only. Family Planning Contraceptive care is provided by all the doctors with routine checks and emergency contraception provided by the practice nurse during surgery hours. To advertise your business to our patients on low cost, easy payment terms call 0800 0234 196.
FBS J. Clark Independent Chemist J. Clark Well Person Clinics This clinic is run by the practice nurse for discussion and assessment of health issues. Non-NHS Examinations The doctors are happy to carry out medicals, eg insurance and driving licence, by appointment. Please ask at reception for the charges for these services. Counselling A counsellor is available for counselling. Please ask your doctor for a referral. NHS Health Checks If you are aged 40-74 years you will be offered for a health check to assess your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Full range of toiletries and pharmaceuticals Daily home delivery service Monitored dosage systems Pregnancy testing Palliative care Needle exchange Photoprocessing Credit cards accepted 9 Geneva Road Darlington DL1 4NE Tel: 01325 364431 Fax: 01325 250020 E-mail: jimtclark@aol.com Attract more business by placing your advert here. Simply call 0800 0234 196. Travel Immunisations/Vaccinations Please make an appointment at least eight weeks in advance of your holiday if possible to ensure adequate cover. A charge will be made for certain immunisations and vaccinations which are not covered by the NHS. A list of these is held at reception. Flu Vaccination An influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for patients over 65 or those suffering from a long term condition such as heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, renal disease, diabetes, chronic liver disease, or patients on disease modifying drugs, carers, and residents of nursing and residential homes. Please contact the reception staff in October for details of the vaccination dates and to make an appointment. If you are unable to attend the surgery, a home visit will be arranged. Pneumonia Vaccination A pneumonia vaccination is recommended for patients 65 and over, and those suffering from a chronic illness. This is a one-off vaccine, but there are exceptions, eg splenectomy patients who would require boosters every 5 years. MEDICAL STUDENTS From time to time the doctors and nurses have student doctors and student nurses sitting in with them during their consultations with patients. Patients will be made aware when this is the case and if they would prefer to see the doctor or nurse alone the reception staff will arrange this. For the latest information click to: www.felixhousesurgery.co.uk
Children s Play Centres It is the Government s stated desire that parents are given more choice in how they balance work and home life to help ensure that their children are given the best possible start in life. Children s Play Centres play a very important role in this area in that they provide an environment for children from 0 to 10 years to use their imagination, exercise their bodies and enjoy what they are doing. There is concern that children spend too long sitting watching television or playing or working on computers or electronic games and play centres can provide vital exercise to help counteract this trend. Some play centres arrange childrens parties including food and party bags, so that parents can really enjoy the day without any worries about children making a mess or too much noise and potentially disturbing neighbours. When choosing a Children s Play Centre it is important to visit several centres to see exactly what is on offer and to check that the Play Centre is properly regulated and professionally run. So let your children experience the joy of play, learning and being with other children from an early age. Take them along to a Children s Play Centre. FBS ADVERTISING FEATURE Comments And Suggestions If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the service we provide, please contact our practice manager, Liz Stewart, who is available every day. STAFF PROTECTION A zero tolerance policy towards violent, threatening and abusive behaviour is now in place throughout the National Health Service. The staff in this practice have the right to do their work in an environment free from such behaviour and everything will be done to protect that right. At no time will any violent, threatening or abusive behaviour be tolerated in this practice. If you do not respect the rights of our staff we may choose to inform the police and make arrangements for you to be removed from our medical list. Disabled Access At Felix House Surgery wheelchair access to the building is via a ramp near the rear entrance. The ramp also allows access to the treatment room from outside in an emergency. Patient services are provided at ground floor level and a WC is located near reception. If access proves difficult to any of our disabled patients we would be happy to consider any suggestions for improvement. Data Protection All information relating to patients is looked after and maintained in a secure and confidential way in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Confidentiality All staff are bound by strict rules of confidentiality. COPYING LETTERS TO PATIENTS Copies of letters concerning you which are sent by your GP to another health professional are available on request. Registering with the practice People living within the practice area (villages listed on the next page) can register with the practice by contacting the reception desk during surgery hours. The practice will endeavour to register patients with a practitioner of their choice, but this might not always be possible - in which case an explanation will be offered. CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP Darlington CCG FREEDOM OF INFORMATION PUBLICATION SCHEME The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the 'classes' of information the practice intends to routinely make available.this scheme is available online at www.foi.nhs.uk/practice?id=846 To advertise your business to our patients on low cost, easy payment terms call 0800 0234 196.
ADVERTISING FEATURE OPG - HELPING THE SMALL BUSINESS GROW FOR OVER 30 YEARS Generate more business with a Pay - Monthly website from OPG We will design and launch a top quality bespoke business-generating website for you, update it regularly at your request and provide on-going advice and support every working day. from 21 per month There is no up-front payment and no extras, with an option to choose a pay-as-you-go, stopwhen-you-like service. To find out more simply call 0800 612 1408 or email us at payasyougo@opg.co.uk Why your business needs a website WITHOUT a website, your business or practice is invisible to the two thirds of prospective clients that use the Internet to locate products and services, and this figure grows daily. Worse still, if your competitors have a website and you don t, then they are picking up your share of the prospects for your type of business when they search online. Pay As You Go websites are proving to be a godsend to small and medium-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. Introduced by OPG Ltd, who have been building websites for more than eight years, and whose innovative ideas have been helping businesses to grow and prosper for over 30 years, they provide businesses and professional practices with 24/7 access to their targeted market. A website not only saves you money on brochures and other such material, it greatly increases the effectiveness of your current advertising because, in effect, you are open for business around the clock. Uniquely, the Pay - Monthly service comes with Web Partner support. This phone-afriend facility will provide answers to your queries and help you develop your site as your business grows. So if you don t yet have a website, or are unhappy with the one you have, call today for an informal chat on 0800 612 1408. You ll be glad you did! Attract more business by placing your advert here. Simply call 0800 0234 196. Practice Boundary The practice area includes the villages of Middleton St George, Middleton One Row, Long Newton, Sadberge, Neasham, Low Dinsdale and Aislaby but not Darlington, Eaglescliffe, Elton or Stockton-on-Tees. DARLINGTON HURWORTH PATIENT CHARTER MIDDLETON ST. GEORGE NEASHAM SADBERGE We aim to provide the best possible service to our patients and hope you will feel that we achieve that aim. The care of your health is a partnership between yourself and the Primary Health Care Team. The success of that partnership depends on an understanding of each other's needs and co-operation between us. Our Responsibility To You: All new patients will receive a copy of our practice booklet and copies will be displayed at the reception desk. You will be greeted courteously. You have a right to confidentiality. You have the right to see your medical records, subject to the limitations of the law. You will be seen the same day if your problem is urgent. You will be seen by one of our doctors/clinicians within two working days for non-urgent problems. However, to see a doctor or clinician of your choice could take longer. You will be informed if there will be a delay of more than 20 minutes for your appointment. You will be informed when a doctor is called away on an emergency and be given the opportunity to book an alternative appointment or, if preferred, be seen by another doctor. You will be referred to a consultant when your GP thinks it necessary. Urgent referrals to other health and social care agencies will be made within one working day of your consultation. We will normally process non-urgent referrals within five working days of your consultation or the doctor's decision to refer. You have the right to receive appropriate drugs and medication. You will be given the result of any test or investigation on request or at your next appointment. Your repeat prescription will be ready for collection within 48 hours of your request. Your personal health information is used by us to ensure that you receive the best possible care, and that those involved in your care have accurate and up-to-date information to help them provide the best possible care for you. Your suggestions and comments about the services offered will be considered sympathetically. Any complaint will be acknowledged in writing within two working days and a response will be made within 10 working days. A67 MIDDLETON ONE ROW A66 LONG NEWTON SURGERY STOCKTON YARM EAGLESCLIFFE
Your Responsibility To Us: Please treat all surgery staff with the same respect - we are all just doing our job. Do not ask for information about anyone other than yourself. Tell us of any change of name or address, so that our records are accurate. Only request an urgent appointment if appropriate. Home visits should only be requested if you are really too ill to attend surgery, and out-of-hours visits (ie evenings and weekends) should be for emergencies only. Please cancel your appointment if you are unable to attend. An appointment is for one person only - where another member of the family needs to be seen or discussed, another appointment should be made. Please be punctual, but be prepared to wait if your own consultation is delayed by an unexpected emergency. Please allow sufficient time for your consultant's letter or the results of any tests to reach us. You will be advised of the usual length of time to wait. Use the tear-off slip to request your repeat prescription whenever possible. Please attend for review, when asked, before your next prescription is due. Do let us know whenever you feel we have not met our responsibility to you. We would, of course, also be pleased to hear when you feel praise is due! Let our practice publications promote your business for you! Notes To place an eye catching advertising feature in our vitally important Practice Booklets and our indispensable Appointment Cards and Website simply phone Jenny Mellenchip now on 0800 612 1516. For the latest information click to: www.felixhousesurgery.co.uk AG/DP 05.14 D05685U
Had an accident?...you have the right to the solicitor of your choice... so why let someone else choose one for you? Your free consultation will assess if you have a claim and representation may be arranged without you paying a penny on a no win-no fee basis. M C ARDLES SOLICITORS... your local, legal experts Tel: 01325 482299 Fax: 01325 382918 56 Duke Street, Darlington, Co Durham DL3 7AN www.mcardles.co.uk Your Solicitor - A Friend in Deed! In the normal course of our daily lives, there may be several times when we require the help, guidance, reassurance and representation of a solicitor. It is vital that you feel happy and confident with your solicitor, since they are going to act on your behalf. To assist with this, many firms offer the first consultation free of charge so that they can assess if they are able to help you. It also, of course, gives you the ideal opportunity to make sure you feel comfortable with them. Your local solicitor will be able to act on your behalf in a whole range of circumstances, from house purchase to making a will, inheritance or probate enquiries, as well as family law and personal injury. Over the last few years there have been a number of quite large national firms springing up who specialise in one specific area of the law. However, it is certainly worth first contacting a local firm, with local knowledge, to see how they can help you. To assist you when attending the first appointment, write down all the questions that you want to ask, and take the list along to the meeting. Collect together any relevant paperwork you ll need in your meeting. Try to get these papers in order: this makes it easier for your solicitor to understand your situation and advise you more quickly. If you are planning to take someone with you, either to offer moral support or to help remember what s said, mention this when making the appointment. Remember, your local solicitor, a real person not just a voice on the phone, is there to act on your behalf and advise you, and will be happy to advise what is best for YOU on all legal matters. ADVERTISING FEATURE For Practice the latest Booklets information are published click by Neighbourhood to: www.felixhousesurgery.co.uk Direct Ltd. 01253 722142