South Lewisham Group Practice |
MEMBERS OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TEAMYOUR DOCTORS
The practice also employs other doctors to assist them and they form an essential part of the medical team. These doctors are fully qualified general practitioners and are usually with the practice for a number of years. In addition, as an accredited training practice there is usually a GP registrar attached to the practice. The registrars are fully qualified doctors who have been working in hospitals but are now gaining experience in general practice. THE NURSING TEAM The nurse practitioner, practice nurses, district nurses and health visitors aim to provide an integrated nursing service. They are caring professionals and highly experienced. Nurse Practitioner Dawn Heppell - Registered General Nurse, Registered Sick Children's Nurse, Diploma in Child Health, BSc (Hons) Specialist Nurse Practitioner Practice Nursing. Dawn Heppell is a specialist nurse practitioner who is trained in both adult and paediatric nursing and has completed further courses in minor ailments and minor injuries. This enables her to run nurse-led clinics independently of the doctor. If a case is complicated, however, she may discuss it with a GP. Practice Nurses Sister Suzanne Schofield - Registered
General Nurse Our practice nurses are available to see you by appointment from Monday to Friday. The nurses can help with a wide range of health matters and look after certain illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease in conjunction with the doctors. Times Allocated for Nursing Appointments
If you need to see a nurse urgently, for example to check a wound after discharge from hospital or for a graze, please try and phone in advance. We will fit you in usually at the end of the nurse’s surgery, but please be prepared to wait. Blood Test Clinic The blood test clinics are run by NHS Lewisham and are held Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 12.45pm, no appointment necessary. If, however, you are to have a glucose tolerance test please contact the health centre to make an appointment. Please remember to carry out any special instructions. You may, for example, be required to fast before certain tests. If you do not bring your blood test form with you, your blood test might not be done. District Nurses Sister Helen Logie-Larose and her team are attached to the surgery and provide care for the housebound. Community Matron Janice Latham is a community matron who provides care and support for patients who have multiple long-term medical conditions. Health Visitors Our health visiting team offers specialist advice on health care for children of all ages and expectant mothers. Should you need to speak to a health visitor please contact the health centre. Community Midwives Our community midwives are attached to Lewisham Hospital and provide antenatal care to expectant mothers and postnatal care at home after delivery. They hold antenatal clinics on Wednesdays 9.15am - 12.15pm and 1.30 - 4.00pm. Please book an appointment at reception for this clinic. Physiotherapy This service is provided on site by University Hospital Lewisham. Patients must be referred by their doctor. MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTSCounsellors The practice has two female counsellors, Linda Osborn and Zuzana Eisler, to help patients with emotional problems. They operate on a brief interventional basis, offering up to six sessions to patients. Those patients who require more intensive or longer term emotional support may be referred to more appropriate services. Patients are referred by doctors and other members of the primary health care team. Child Mental Health Team We are fortunate to have specialists who can offer support and treatment to children with emotional difficulties and their families. Martin Roberts and his team only accept referrals from the doctors and other health professionals. Community Drugs Project The CDP offers assessment, support and advice on all aspects of drug use. They hold sessions at the surgery on a Wednesday by appointment only. Patients wishing to use the service will need to be seen by their doctor first. The medical staff and CDP work together closely and will always respect your confidentiality. Chiropody The health centre provides a chiropody service to local residents. Appointments can be booked via the chiropody clerk in the health centre. Citizens Advice Bureau A Citizens Advice worker holds a morning session 10.00am to 12 noon. Appointments can be booked at eception. When booking your appointment, please let recepion know if you need general advice or debt advice. This ensures you will see the right advisor. Appointments can be booked at reception. THE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND RECEPTION TEAM Practice Manager Dawn Lait is responsible for the practice administration and the smooth, efficient running of the practice. If you have any suggestions regarding the practice, please contact her. WE HAVE SUGGESTION BOXES located in the front entrance hall and outside the treatment room. The Secretarial Staff Led by Pat Medford, IT/Office manager, the secretarial staff can help and advise you with queries regarding hospital referrals, specific specialist treatment, waiting times and the on-site consultant-run outreach clinics. Reception Staff Also led by Pat Medford, the reception team have a lot of information at their fingertips and can answer many of your queries. Anything you tell them will be treated in absolute confidence (the practice complies with the Data protection Act 1998). If you are unsure if you need to see a doctor, nurse or health visitor etc, the receptionists can advise you. ABUSE TOWARDS MEMBERS OF STAFFAll members of staff strive to provide the best service to it's patients. We are entitled to work in a safe environment without fear of either physical or verbal aggression. The practice will not tolerate aggressive behaviour. Patients who are aggressive either verbally or physically will be removed from the practice list and the appropriate authorities notified. TRAINING AND RESEARCH We are an accredited training practice. Doctors training at the practice are called GP registrars. They are fully qualified doctors who have usually come from working in hospitals to gain experience before moving on to specialise in general practice. They are fully able to deal with all your problems. In addition the practice is linked to Guys, Kings and St Thomas' medical schools and partakes in teaching medical students. You will always be notified if a student is sitting in with your doctor and can always see the doctor alone if you wish. The practice is committed to training medical students and doctors to provide a service for future generations and your co-operation is much appreciated. The practice partakes in research projects along with other local practices. You may be asked to be involved in a research project from time to time. You will be fully informed of the aims of the project prior to your consent being sought and can withdraw at any time. |
