BIRCHWOOD MEDICAL PRACTICE

Jasmin Road, Birchwood

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

 LN6 0QQ

Main telephone:     01522 699999

Fax number:           01522 682793

Repeat prescription ordering (24 hour answer phone):  01522 501111

E-mail for Practice (not prescriptions): bmp@lpct.nhs.uk

Email for prescription orders to prescriptions:  prescriptions.bmp@lpct.nhs.uk

 

“Our aim is to be a patient friendly practice providing the best of health care on the NHS”

 

Practice Partnership

Dr Martin John Latham (male, full time)          MB ChB (1977 Edinburgh) FRCGP DRCOG FP Cert

 

Dr Richard Nicholas Smith (male, full time)          MB ChB (1988 Leeds) BSc Hons DRCOG FP Cert MRCGP MSc

 

Dr Richard Paul Williams (male, full time)          MB ChB (1993 Sheffield) MRCGP

 

Dr Catherine Ann Armstrong (female, part time)          MB BS (1994 London) DCH MRCGP

 

Dr Susan Vivien Gough (female, part time)          MB BS (London 1987) DRCOG DCH FP Cert MRCGP MSc

 

Assistant Doctor

 

Dr Rama Mark (female, part time)          MB BS (Delhi 1984) DGC MRCOG MRCGP Languages

Languages spoken:              Hindi, Urdu, Telegu and Tamil and a little Punjabi.

 

 Practice website: www.birchwoodmedicalpractice.com

  

Opening Times

Access to the Birchwood Medical Practice and main telephone line is between 8.00am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

Primary Medical Services

The Birchwood Medical Practice is a doctor partnership. It has a PMS – Primary Medical Services contract with the Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust and provides a full range of services and facilities for NHS patients.

Patients have easy access to all the services which the Health Centre provides - community nursing, health visitors, baby clinic, midwives, podiatry, speech therapy and physiotherapy.  Community psychiatric nurses are available at the Centre via the doctors.   All of the above services, together with the pharmacy and dental suite are available to our patients under one roof - something we know is particularly appreciated by the elderly and also by parents with young children.

Employed Doctors

Dr Rama Mark is employed by the doctors to provide additional weekly sessions; she also has special skills and experience in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Locum Doctor

In the event of a doctor being away because of illness, annual leave or on study leave, either one of the other doctors in the Practice or a locum doctor will take over their duties.

Practice Manager

The Practice Manager is Christine Thorpe.  Christine ensures the smooth running of the practice.  She liaises with the Partners and members of staff and is available to the patients should they have any suggestions, queries or complaints.    

Nursing Team

Practice Nurse and prescriber                                Heather Lilley, (female) RGN

Practice Nurse                                                          Sue Boothby, (female) RGN

Practice Nurse                                                          Hayley Graham, (female) RGN

Cytology Nurse                                                          Jenny Latham, (female) RGN

Healthcare assistant                                                 Yvonne Glenford, (female)   

Admin clerk and Phlebotomist                                Leigh Mooney (female)

Supporting the GP’s and Nurses are the staff which consist of medical secretaries, administration staff and receptionists.

All our staff receive regular training in the patient computer system, looking after your records and patient confidentiality.

What are the clinical interests of the Doctors?

Dr Richard Williams                         Diabetes

Dr Catherine Armstrong                   Dermatology

Dr Rama Mark                                   Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Urology

Dr Nicholas Smith                             Urology

We are a Research Practice.

This means we use information you give us to research into clinical conditions.  Our research is anonymous and does not reveal personal information about patients, but if you do not wish medical data you provide to be used in research for the benefit of others please inform the practice manager.

We are a Training Practice

Certain doctors' practices are specially selected as places where newly qualified doctors can experience what it is like to work in a good practice. We are fortunate to be such a practice - indeed we have been a training practice for over 15 years.

Registrars have graduated as doctors and those that wish to become GP's spend a total of one year following their two foundation years training within the practice, firstly four months then eight months.  They receive appropriate training and gain valuable experience with us and we believe our practice and our patients gain a lot from them as they bring with them to the practice up to date knowledge and techniques as well as a friendly enthusiasm.

Not all registrars are new doctors. For example, when Dr Mark initially joined us as a registrar, she had worked for many years in an obstetrics department in a major hospital in the south of England and brought a high degree of expertise to the practice in this important area of medicine.

Since 2006 we have developed to include 5th year medical students and 2nd year Foundation doctors, who are with us for four months at a time.

The medical student is in their 5th year of medical training prior to graduation.  Following graduation the GP has two foundation years before becoming a GP registrar.

We believe our practice and our patients gain a lot from our trainees who bring to the practice up to date knowledge and techniques, as well as a friendly enthusiasm. Occasionally you may be asked for your consent in taking a video of your consultation in order to assist them with training.

We also provide a practice placement for student nurses undertaking their RGN training with Nottingham University; this is under the supervision of the nurses.

GP & Staff training

To maintain a high standard of care, patients can be confident that all members of the practice team receive regular training and updating.

The practice will close the surgery between 1.00 pm and 6.30 pm on the third Tuesday of most months in the year (eight in total) – to enable the GP’s and staff training outside the practice.  During this period the ‘out of hours’ service will provide GP cover to our patients.

What services does the practice offer?

The GP’s, Nurses & staff together with the community nurses & health visitors assist the doctors in providing a complete range of medical services including:

Free Pregnancy testing                                            Maternity Services

Baby clinic and weight monitoring                          Cervical Cytology

Child health surveillance                                           Family Planning & Contraceptive services

Immunisations & vaccinations                                 Diabetic clinic

Disease management clinics                                  Men’s health

Minor surgery services                                             Wound dressing

Smoking clinic (Phoenix)                                         Wart clinic

Children's open surgery                                           Travel advice and holiday vaccination

24 hour blood pressure monitoring                         Teledermatology

ECG's                                                                         Asthma/COPD clinic

Spirometry clinic      

Private Services

In addition we offer some medical services which are not available on the NHS, e.g. HGV medicals, yellow fever, insurance medicals and administrative matters like signing passport applications.  The doctors charge a fee (as recommended by the British Medical Association) for these services.  The receptionists will advise you in advance if you request a service for which there is a fee.

Registering as a Patient

Patients who wish to register must live within the practice boundary. The practice may refuse an application to join its list if you do not reside in our area.  We will not refuse to accept you on the grounds of race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition.

Please bring in your signed medical cards and complete the practice registration forms for each person requesting to join the practice, this includes a health questionnaire.  Once you have completed the forms you will be registered with the practice and we shall apply for your full medical records from the health authority. This may take up to seven days to receive from your previous medical practice and up to eight weeks to transfer up date our computer system.

All new patients can ask for a ‘new patient check’ appointment with the practice nurse.  If you have a medical condition or you have repeat medication the ‘new patient check’ should be booked with a GP.  It is essential that you attend this appointment to enable us to evaluate your medical requirements, discuss any concerns and your medication.

Once registered you have the right to see any of our doctors, but you may prefer one particular doctor so that you can receive a more personal service.   We would encourage you to see your usual doctor for ongoing problems.

Temporary Patients

We will be pleased to see anyone staying with or visiting you if they require a doctor or a nurse and cannot get to their own medical practice due to distance.

How do I arrange to see a doctor or nurse?

GP Appointments.              Each GP’s sessions vary – but typically appointments are available to book during these times:

Mon     8:00am – 10:30am               11:00am-11:30am Children’s open clinic              3:00pm -6:00pm 

Tues   8:00am – 10:30am                11:00am-11:30am Children’s open clinic              3:00pm -5:00pm  

Weds  8:00am – 10:30am               11:00am-11:30am Children’s open clinic              2.30pm -5:00pm     *evening slots

Thurs   8:00am – 10:30am               11:00am-11:30am Children’s open clinic              2.30pm -5:00pm   

Fri       8:00am – 10:30am               11:00am-11:30am Children’s open clinic             3:00pm -5:00pm 

*There are evening GP appointments most Wednesday’s between 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Our practice also offers telephone consultations if you do not need to be examined by the GP.  Book these like a doctors appointment and you will be given the exact time that the GP will call you for your consultation.

Our receptionists may well ask you to give an indication of why you need to see the doctor so that you can be booked in to the most appropriate slot with consideration to the GP special interests.

You may also book your own appointment ‘on-line’ with the authorisation of the practice and by registering with www.patient.co.uk/surgery.asp.  This is an excellent opportunity for patients that find it difficult to contact the surgery and have access to a computer and is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

 There are practice nurse appointments from 8.00am to 6.00pm on most days.

Children’s Half-hour                                                   

Every day, Monday to Friday, at 11 a.m. we have a half hour surgery for children 12 years old and under.  Book these appointments on the day, or simply turn up & your child will be seen.

Home Visits                  

We believe that most problems are better dealt with at the surgery if at all possible, but we are always pleased to see our patients at home if they are too ill or infirm to visit the surgery.  All we ask is that requests are made before 10 a.m. if possible.

Telephone Advice

If you would like to speak to either a doctor or a nurse, please leave brief details and your contact number with the receptionist and we will ring you back at a convenient time or arrange a telephone consultation.

Health checks

If you are over the age of 75 or you have not had an appointment with the doctor for three years you may request a health check with a practice nurse.

We offer health checks to men over the age of 50.  If you have not had one, please make an appointment.

All women are offered a health check including cervical, breast and blood pressure checks, as well as general health advice.  Women are recommended to have regular cervical smears to check the neck of the womb (the cervix) is healthy and that there are no changes that could develop into cancer.  We recommend that these checks be carried out a three yearly intervals between the ages of 25 – 50 years and five yearly between 50 – 65 years.  For older women, advice is available on the menopause and the prevention of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)

Ante Natal Services

Are you planning to have a baby?

Care of your child begins before you get pregnant.  Make sure that your immunisations are up to date and you have had your routine smear test.  Have you been screened for Rubella (German measles)? Take extra folic acid (available as Pre-Conceive from your chemist) to try to prevent Spinal Bifida.  If you smoke you should stop, or at least try to cut down, for the sake of your baby’s health.  If you think you are pregnant, please make an early appointment with the doctor to discuss the management of your pregnancy.  When you are pregnant there are appointments available on the premises Monday and Wednesday mornings with the community midwife.

Chaperones

During your appointment with a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist, you are welcome to ask for a chaperone.  This will usually be one of the nursing team, however if a nurse is unavailable another staff member can chaperone with your agreement.

Medicines Management Scheme

The practice has joined up with the two adjoining pharmacies, Alliance and Coop to provide the Medicines Management Scheme.  You can obtain advice on common complaints from either pharmacist and they will prescribe your medication on our behalf without you waiting to see a doctor.

The scheme covers most minor ailments, for example: indigestion, heart burn, stomach upset, diarrhoea, constipation, sore throat, headache, earache, temperature, nasal congestion, hay fever, head lice, thrush, and unprotected sexual intercourse.

Repeat Prescriptions

There are many options available to order your repeat prescriptions:

v     Tick the appropriate medication on your computer slip, hand it in or send it to the practice

v     Telephone our 24 hour (seven days a week) answer phone service on Lincoln 501111

v     After 9am, Monday to Friday, ring our main line on Lincoln 699999.

v     We will also accept orders by email (if you include your PIN number which can find on your repeat prescription slip) you can e-mail it to:  prescriptions.bmp@lpct.nhs.uk

v     Through the internet 24 hours a day/7 days a week by registering with the practice, you may view your own medication and order on-line.

We will send your prescription to you if you provide a S.A.E.  The local pharmacies provide a free delivery service to those who need it - ask at the pharmacies.

Please ensure you allow 24 hours for regular repeated items, otherwise allow 48 hours.

Repeat Dispensing Scheme

If you are on regular and stable medication your doctor can issue several prescriptions in advance to be held and distributed when you need them by your chosen pharmacy.   This saves the patient time and inconvenience in ordering and collecting prescriptions.

Choose and Book

Choose and Book is one of the first initiatives by the NHS to allow patients to be more involved in taking decisions and making choices about their healthcare.  If a doctor refers you for secondary care, you will be informed of your choice of hospital/healthcare provider.

v     Choose and Book will enable patients to choose a convenient place, date and time for their initial hospital appointment.  Patients will be able to choose from one to four hospitals (or other healthcare provide facilities) commissioned by their PCT.

v     Information on these hospitals will be provided to GP staff and patients at www.nhs.uk to enable them to choose.

Touch-Screen check in system

A touch-screen in the waiting room allows patients to check themselves in.  Three simple questions to identify you - quick, easy to use and confidential.   This is available in other languages.

Waiting room blood pressure machine

The practice has a new waiting room blood pressure machine for the patients to take their own blood pressure readings.  The aim is for patients to screen themselves opportunistically and avoid waiting for appointments. The practice can also free up some appointments in the treatment room that may be been used for the quick blood pressure checks.

Patient Responsibilities

You should always notify the surgery should you need to cancel or re-arrange your appointment to allow re-booking for our other patients. 

If a doctor or nurse has asked you to return for another appointment or to be reviewed it is important that you make a new appointment as soon as possible and remember to attend.

Teledermatology

Although we like to think our practice embodies traditional general practitioner values we also like to keep abreast of modern technology.   One example of this is teledermatology.  If you have a troublesome skin condition you may well find that the doctor will offer to photograph it and forward it electronically to the consultant dermatologist at Lincoln County Hospital.  Many of our patients have benefited from this modern and speedy service, where skin conditions are usually assessed and reported on within 7 days.

Disabled Patients  

v     Automatic doors and special toilet facilities are built into the Health Centre and there are no steps.  All of the Health Centre facilities, including a pharmacy, are under one roof so there is no awkward travelling from one building to another.

v     There is a wheelchair available for patient use.

v     We have hydraulic couches in the treatment rooms & several consulting rooms to provide comfortable examination facilities for the elderly or disabled

v     There are comfortable easy sitting/standing chairs in the waiting room for the infirm and elderly.

v     Our reception desk has an area for wheelchair access and confidentiality.

v     There are marked disabled parking places immediately outside the front doors.

v     Hand rails are provided down the corridors.

v     The visual patient call system assists patients with hearing problems.

v     There is a portable hearing loop for the hearing impaired, which can be taken from reception to the consulting room.

Carers

We are interested in identifying carers, especially those people who, whatever their age, may be caring without help or support.  We know that carers are often “hidden” looking after a family member or helping a friend or neighbour with day to day tasks and may not see themselves as a carer. 

Caring for someone is an important and valuable role in the community, which is often a 24-hour job that can be very demanding and isolating for the carer.  Carers should receive appropriate support by way of access to accurate information on a range of topics such as entitlement to benefits and respite care and not least, a listening ear when things get too much.

As a Carer, you are also entitled to have your needs assessed by Social Services.  A Carer’s Assessment is a chance to talk about your needs as a carer and the possible ways help could be given. It also looks at the needs of the person you care for. There is no charge for an assessment.

Access to your Medical Record

All patients have the right to see what is kept on their medical record.  If you want to view your record, please make a request with the medical secretary.  You are also entitled to receive a copy of the information you have seen, please note that a small charge may be made for the administration and time involved.

Should your doctor decide that seeing your records might put your health at risk, you may only be shown part of your records or your request may be declined.

Sharing your Medical Record

In some instances, you may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS.  We may need to share some information about you with them, so that we can all work together for your benefit.  Anyone who receives confidential information about you from us is under a legal duty of confidence.  Unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example, when the health or safety of others is at risk, we will not disclose your information to third parties without your permission.

In certain circumstances we are required by law to report information; however our guiding principle is that we are holding your records in strict confidence.

We will only give your relatives, friends and carers information if you want us to.

You may ask us to share your health record with agencies e.g. solicitors, insurance companies, we will only do this with your written consent, and you may ask to view this information before it is provided.

Computer Records

The practice records the majority of the information it obtains about patients in a computerised record. The system used by the practice is part of the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT).

Access to patient identifiable information is strictly controlled by local and national confidentiality controls. Access is only allowed to people directly involved in their care.

The practice takes confidentiality very seriously and maintains strict controls over access to information.

Please contact the Practice Manager if you have any concerns over the management of your confidential information

Confidentiality for the under 16’s

Teenagers are entitled to the same confidentiality as adults; this includes children over thirteen years of age providing the doctor or nurse feels they are capable of making decisions about their own health.

All practice staff including receptionists following strict guidelines to ensure patient confidentiality.

Patients over thirteen are entitled to visit any doctor that is willing to provide contraceptive services without having to register with that practice.

Violence and Aggression

The Partners at the Birchwood Medical Practice re-affirm their commitment to do everything possible to protect staff, patients and visitors from unacceptable behaviour and their zero tolerance of any incident that causes hurt, alarm damage or distress.

Appropriate action will be taken by the practice which may involve removal from the practice list and/or involvement of the police.

Out of Hours      

During the week from 6.30 pm in the evening to 8.00 am the following morning and at weekends and Bank Holiday there is an emergency doctor service available.  Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust is responsible for commissioning this service and patients could be seen by any GP in Lincolnshire.  The service is located at the Primary Care Out of Hours Emergency Service (adjacent to A & E, Lincoln County Hospital.

The service can be contacted on: - Lincoln  01522 568900  (this telephone number is given out on the practice answer phone when the surgery is closed)

Patients should only ring this number for urgent medical problems that cannot wait until the next day to be treated.  If for any reason you cannot get through to this service and the matter of urgent persists or you need a doctor in an emergency dial 999 without delay.

NHS Direct

Patients can also call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 at a local rate charge 24 hours a day for confidential healthcare advice and information or view their website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for high-quality reliable health information.

For deaf people and those hard of hearing, a telephone service is available on 0845 606 4647.

NHS Walk-in centres.

The nearest to this practice is (46.47km)  28.9 miles away.  Address is The Island. Business Quarter. London Road. Nottingham. NG2 4UU.

There are 90 NHS Walk-in Centres offering fast and convenient access to a range of NHS services, including health information, advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses (coughs, colds, infections) and minor injuries (strains, sprains, cuts).

They are open from early morning to late evening, seven days a week. The centres are run by experienced NHS nurses, and you don't need to make an appointment. They are improving the way in which thousands of patients get immediate treatment for troublesome minor health problems or injuries.

Patient Satisfaction Report

We will undertake an annual Patient Satisfaction Survey called IPQ – Improving Practice Questionnaire, the questions are set by CFEP UK Surveys, Exeter .  The patients complete the questionnaire whilst in the practice anonymously and seal them in an envelope which are sent directly to CFEP UK. The results are these surveys are then sent to the practice and a comparison is made with previous years and with other medical practices nationally.  This information is shared with the Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust and our patients.

A copy of the latest report is in the practice waiting room showing the comparison and comments made by the practice.  If you would like to view the report, take a copy or make further comments just ask the receptionist.

Complaints

Should you wish to make a complaint then please ask to speak to our practice manager, Christine Thorpe.  She will record your complaint in writing and ensure that it is fully investigated.  If you would like a copy of the complaint procedure please ask at the desk.  If you are unable to resolve your complaint through the practice complaint procedures you may contact the complaints team at Lincolnshire Shared Services.

The area we cover

Birchwood, Doddington Park, Hampton Park, Forest Park, Hartsholme, Shearwater, Stone Manor Park, Swanpool, Whitebridge Park and the village of Skellingthorpe. There is ample parking within the Health Centre complex and in the adjacent public car park.

 

 

The practice philosophy

 

We believe in a National Health Service in which we, your family doctors, nurses and staff, play the key role in caring for the well being of the individual and the community

 

We value our patients’ dignity as people - their consultations will be in comfortable, friendly and private surroundings.

 

We value our patients’ time - they will not have to wait long before we answer the telephone, nor to get an appointment with their doctor.  When they keep their appointment we will try not to keep them waiting long before they see the doctor.  If we can save them a journey to the doctor we will.

 

We value quality in the consulting room - one of the most valuable things your doctors have to offer is their time.  We will offer longer than average consultations to our patients.

 

We value our staff - we have selected only the best and we know that when our staff feel happy and valued they give the best service to our patients