Staplehurst Health Centre
Latest News
Dr Favvad Khan has been appointed as our Lead Doctor and will be joining the practice in December.
He is currently the Lead Clinician in a walk-in centre within Kent and has a tremendous amount of experience. We look forward to welcoming him to our Health Centre.
Health Information Evenings organised by the Friends of Staplehurst Health Centreat the Health Centre.
Monday 27th September @ 7.15pm - a talk by the Admiral Nurses on Dementia for patients and carers.
Monday 11th October @ 7.15pm - What does a Chiropractor do and how can this treatment can compliment physiotherapy and osteopath treatment? - a talk by Destiny Krogsgaard.
Monday 1st November @ 7.15pm -Information from the Anthony Nolan Trust on how matching donors to those urgently in need of blood or bone marrow related transplants can save lives.
Everyone is welcome to come along to these informative evenings.
Changes to opening hours
As from Monday 13th September we will be piloting a change to our extended opening hours from Saturday mornings to 2 extra late evenings. This will be to increase continuity of care with our regular doctors whereas at present we have to employ locum GPs to cover weekends. The extended evening surgeries will allow patients better access and more choice of appointment times.
The Health Centre opened in March 2007 and is located at the rear of the Public Library with access from Offen's Drive and from the High Street via the path beside the Public Library. There is easy access for wheelchairs and facilities for the disabled including disabled parking and a lift. There is patient parking on site.
Address: Staplehurst Health Centre
Offens Drive
Staplehurst
Tonbridge, Kent
TN12 0LB
Telephone number: 01580 891220. - open from 08.00am until 18.00pm Monday - Friday
An emergency number is available between 13.00 - 14.00.
The surgery reception is open from 08.00 - 18.30 weekdays.
After hours, during weekends and over Bank Holidays, South East Health On Call are available on 03000 242424.
Alternatively, NHS Direct, a 24hr Nurse led advice line, is available on 0845 4647
THE TEAM
DOCTORS
Dr Natalie Wright MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG (On Maternity leave from 9/7/10)
Dr Richard Newell (Partner @ West Malling Surgery) is covering at present.
Dr Channa Gunusekera will be taking up full time cover as from 3/8/2010
Dr. Stuart Wiliams, BM., DRCOG., DCH
Special Interests: Ophthalmology, Gynaecology
Dr Penny Kefford, MBBS., DRCOG., DCH
Malling Health are in the process of employing a full time GP to complete the Team.
PRACTICE NURSES
Karen Holley (Lead Nurse) RGN Special Interest: Asthma, COPD
Alison Edwards RGN Special Interest: Diabetes
Sheila Hume RGN Special Interest: Asthma, Diabetes, Allergies
HCA
Tracey King HealthCare Assistant - Phlebotomist, Smoking Cessation, Health Checks
Lucy Whittaker HealthCare Assistant - Phlebotomist, Health Checks
Verlie Croucher Practice Manager
Jane Frogley Administration Ass. to Practice Manager
Jean Roberts Medical Secretary
Debra Stevens Medical Secretary
Valerie King Reception Supervisor
Diane Aldous Receptionist, Phlebotomist
Gena Baker Prescription Clerk/Receptionist
Gina Boon Prescription Clerk/Receptionist
Emily Floyd Administrator/Receptionist
Claire Edwards Receptionist
Sarah Thomas Receptionist
Deborah Salter Receptionist
Sheena Hamblett Receptionist
Suzi Gower Ophthalmology Secretary
APPOINTMENTS ( These are subject to alteration)
The Health Centre offers a variety of appointments including some pre bookable, many book on the day and a Duty GP who triages via telephone calls and arranges visits, emergency appointments and telephone consultations.
OPENING TIMES BETWEEN: as from Monday 13th September 2010
Monday 08.00 - 20.00
Tuesday 08.00 - 20.00 .
Wednesday 08.00 - 18.30
Thursday 07.30 - 20.00
Friday 08.00 - 18.30
PRESCRIPTIONS
For patient safety we ask that all repeat prescription requests are requested in writing. No telephone requests are accepted over the telephone unless by prior arrangement with the Prescription Clerks for housebound patients.
Prescription slips can by placed in the various letter boxes on the main gate during closed hours, through the side conservatory letter box, letterbox in reception, handed to a receptionist, posted to the surgery or faxed to 01580 890683.
Please mark where you would like your prescription sent to. They can be passed to Lloyds Pharmacy in Staplehurst or Cranbrook, collected from the surgery in person or posted if a stamped addressed envelope is attached to the request.
SERVICES & CLINICS OFFERED AT THE PRACTICE
Child Health Clinics are run by the Health Visitor, Di 0'Hara. Further information can be obtained by phoning the Health Visitors on 01580 895838.
The District Nurses are based at the Health Centre and arrangements can be made for patients who require home visits from the Community Nursing Sister by contacting either Reception or directly on 01580 895832.
The Community Midwife holds ante natal clinics at the surgery by arrangement with the midwife directly.
NURSE LED CLINICS
Asthma including COPD check
Diabetes Clinics including Conversion to Insulin
Anti Coagulation
Smoking Cessation
Travel Vaccinations
Contraception
Cryotherapy
Health Promotion & Obesity
Carers groups
Minor Surgery - it is necessary to consult with a GP before booking an appointment.
Chiropracter - private & NHS referrals
Counsellors - by referral
Admiral Nurse - for Dementia patients/carers
Age Concern Foot Health Care - by direct arrangement with Age Concern
REGISTERING WITH THE PRACTICE
Please register at Reception. You will be asked for your NHS Medical Card (FP4), proof of address and photo identity. All new patients are handed a package of forms to complete including medical history, consent forms and ethnic origin. Patients will also be asked to book with a Healthcare Assistant for a New Patient Check.
HOME VISITS
Home visits are for patients who are either too ill to attend surgery or are housebound. Please request a home visit before 10.00am whenever possible.
Patient Participation Group
All patients and staff of the Staplehurst Health Centre are welcome to join and attend the meetings held regularly at the Health Centre.
The group provides an open line of communication between patients and the surgery regarding the needs and concerns of the community.
The Friends of Staplehurst Surgery
This group is a Charity involving patients and staff of the Health Centre who actively provide and assist in the provision of facilities, support services and equipment not necessarily provided by the statutory authorities. Educational evenings with speakers promoting the health and wellbeing of patients are organised on a regular basis.
Newsletters are distributed locally giving details of news, events and details of services being provided.
DATA PROTECTION
The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act. All employed staff have access to patients' records and their Contracts of Employment make them subject to observance of confidentiality at all times.
The practice and all staff members are committed to treating all patients with respect and dignity without discrimination and with complete confidentiality. We aim to provide a high standard of medical care, explaining your condition and planning your further management with you.
We would ask that in return, you follow any appropriate advice, be courteous to all staff and cancel appointments that are no longer required.
COMPLAINTS
Sometimes things may go wrong and there is a Complaints Procedure. If you are dissatisfied with any element of our service you are invited, in the first instance, to draw the matter to the attention of one of the Receptionists on duty.
If you feel you need to take your grievance further, you may ask for the complaint to be dealt with by the Practice Manager.
Should the explanation offered prove unacceptable you have the right to refer the matter to the Complaints Dept or the Patients Advisory & Liaison Service, West Kent Primary Care Trust, Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7NJ.
Telephone: 01622 711250
This surgery operates a "Zero Tolerance" Policy ie: any violent or abusive behaviour towards any of the staff or persons present on the Health Centre premises will not be tolerated.