The Doctors

Practice Staff

Organisation

Major Nick Thompson is the business manager for the practice and has overall responsibility for running the business. He is assisted by Mrs Jill Franklin who has specific responsibility for finance.

Receptionists And Secretaries

Mrs Gill Atkins is the office manager who ensures the daily operation of the reception and appointment function. All initial enquiries or questions concerning appointments or reception should be directed in the first place to Mrs Atkins.

Our reception staff are here to help you with appointments and general enquiries.

In addition we have a small team who are dedicated to repeat prescribing. Please ask to be put through to this team if you have questions about your repeat prescription. We also two have part-time medical secretaries covering the whole of the working week.

Practice Nurses

We have a team of experienced practice nurses led by Sister Sarah Cheffings. They are available each day by appointment.

Appointments can be made for immunisations, travel advice, removal of stitches, wounds/leg ulcer dressings,  ear syringing, blood tests etc. The nurses are also available for a wide range of advice on any personal health matters including acute illness, contraception and management of minor and major illness. They are often available at short notice and can help you decide whether or not you need to see the doctor.

Please note we do NOT undertake blood tests within the surgery except for specific diabetic patients and those urgently referred by a GP. Patients can choose to attend either the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals or Poole General who operate clinics as follows:

In addition, Shelley Road operate a 'by appointment' clinic with whom we have allocated slots.  Please speak to reception if you wish to use this service by telephoning after 3.00pm daily. Please note: appointments are NOT valid without a TEST REQUEST from your GP.

Community Nurses

Sister Lynne Birch and her team of experienced community nurses are attached to the practice. They can be contacted on (01202) 315458 or by telephoning the surgery selecting Option 6 from the main menu. They provide nursing care for patients who are housebound as well as patients recovering from recent operations. They work closely in conjunction with the rest of the practice team. Requests for attendance can be made through the doctors who will then consult with the nursing sister to request visiting and assessment of each case.

Health Visitor

The health visiting team is based at our St Leonard's Road Surgery and can be contacted on (01202) 517443. Beverly Freeman and Catherine Mahone-Gray are available for advice on health care, especially for expectant mothers, small children, the elderly and the handicapped. The health visitor will advise on smoking, diet, alcohol intake and a wide range of other health care issues, including safety in the home and stress management. They  are also able to advise on a wide range of support services including self-help groups. A well baby clinic is run by the health visitors on Tuesday mornings 9.30 - 11.30am at the United Reform Church (opposite Asda) and a child health development and surveillance clinic at appointed times within the practice.

Retained Doctors

Retained doctors are experienced practitioners who work in the practice on a limited part-time basis. Our retainer is Dr Ute McCrudden.

Salaried Doctors

Salaried doctors are experienced practitioners who work in the practice on a sessional basis. Our salaried doctor is Dr Irena Daniels.

Teaching

The practice has been a teaching practice since 1980. In order to become a partner in general practice, specialised  vocational training is necessary, lasting a minimum of three years from qualifying. Prior to being appointed as a general practice principal it is necessary to work for 12 months in an approved training practice. Many of our patients will fondly remember, and be grateful for, the services of the young doctors with whom we have had the privilege of working  over this time.

Sometimes a consultation will entail  having two doctors present and, on occasions, consultations may be recorded on video tape. Your permission is always requested beforehand and no offence will be taken should you prefer not to participate.

During their final year, senior medical students are sometimes attached to the practice to gain experience of medicine outside the hospital setting. They will participate in consultations only with the patient’s consent.