Other Information
Access for the Disabled
Access for wheelchairs and toilet facilities for the physically disabled are available at both surgeries.
Mothers and Babies
Baby changing facilities are available. If your baby needs breast-feeding please ask at Reception and a quiet room will be made available.
Parking
There is ample parking at both surgeries. For the sake of other patients, please only use our car parks while you are at the surgeries.
Prams and Pushchairs
In the interests of health and safety, please leave prams and pushchairs in the undercover area outside the front door.
Comments and Complaints
If you have any comments, suggestions, complaints (or compliments), please contact the Practice Manager, Mrs Carol Tilley.
You may also complain to NHS England:
Email:
Contact Number: 0300 311 2233
Postal Address: NHS Commissioning Board
PO Box 16738
REDDITCH
B97 9PT
Patient Participation Group
These are a group of patients who meet regularly to help support the practice. We also have a virtual patient group, who we communicate with via email. Please contact the Practice if you wish to join – new members are always welcome.
The Whitecliff Group Practice
Whitecliff Surgery, Whitecliff Mill Street,
Blandford Forum, Dorset
DT11 7BH
Child Okeford Surgery, Upper Street
Child Okeford, Dorset
DT11 8EF
Website: www.whitecliffpractice.co.uk
Practice Telephone Numbers
General Enquiries/Appointments (01258) 452501
Fax (01258) 456366
Child Okeford Surgery
General Enquiries/Appointments (01258) 860687
Fax (01258) 861677
Surgery Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:30
Weekend – Closed
Extended Surgeries - These are surgeries held out of normal surgery times (held after 6.30pm) and are available most weeks.
Dispensary Opening Hours – 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
Self Care
It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete's foot. But by visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.
Instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can visit your local pharmacist any time: just walk in. All pharmacists can recognise many of the common health complaints. They can give advice or, where appropriate, medicines that will help to clear up the problem. If your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to see your GP.
The Multi-Disciplinary Team Attached to the Practice
Counselling
Please see your doctor to arrange a referral with the counsellors
Community Nurses
A team of community nurses, who are based at the surgeries, work in the community and liaise closely with the doctors.
They can be contacted by telephone on (01258) 450717, or you can leave a message on the answering machine if no-one available.
Health Visitors
The Health Visitors look after the health and development of the under-fives.
They can be contacted by telephone on (01258) 488929 or leave a message on the answering machine if no-one available.
Midwives
Most expectant mothers will have a choice of care by their GP, a Midwife or Consultant Obstetrician or a combination. Ultrasound scans are done at hospital. Ante-Natal Clinics are held at the surgeries and at Blandford Children’s Centre. To contact the Midwife please telephone 01305 254245.
Clinics
Baby/Children's Clinic
The Health Visitors are available to weigh your babies, to discuss problems and give advice. These clinics are held on Thursdays at Blandford Children’s Centre between 1.30 and 3.30pm.
Well Woman Clinic – (Buffy Wareham, Marrianne Hunt, Jane Dearling)
Buffy and Diana provide the opportunity for ladies to discuss and monitor issues relating to a healthy lifestyle. A smear test, urine and blood pressure check can be done if needed. We advise a three yearly review. A reminder is sent if the due date has passed.
Well Man (Practice Nurses)
Our Practice Nurse can advise you on achieving and maintaining good health, the emphasis being on self-motivation through leaflets and advice. Your Blood Pressure and weight will be checked and you will have the opportunity to discuss any issues that concern you.
Flu Clinic
During October/November we offer 'flu vaccinations to patients at particular risk. This includes the elderly or frail, people with asthma or diabetes, those with longstanding heart and lung problems, people on long-term steroids or immunosuppressant treatment and the over 65s.
Minor Surgical Procedures
We have a well-equipped minor surgery room. Two partners are qualified surgeons who can undertake a range of minor surgical procedures at the Surgery.
Cryosurgery Clinic
These clinics are on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at Blandford Surgery. Warts, verrucas and some other skin problems can be treated by freezing with Liquid Nitrogen, subject to recommendation of a GP.
Leg Ulcer Clinic
Regular Clinics are provided to support patients with managing and dressing their leg ulcers.
Travel Services A limited service is available on the NHS – please ask at reception for details.
Community Health Care Assistant
Our community based HCA will focus on patients with long term conditions who do not routinely visit the surgery, those who are at risk of hospital admission and the over 75s.
Welcome to the Whitecliff Group Practice
The Whitecliff Group Practice is a partnership practice that has been providing medical services for the people of Blandford Forum and the surrounding area since 1953. The Practice operates over two sites at Whitecliff Mill Street in Blandford Forum and Child Okeford. Both Practices have dispensary services that are available to patients who live outside of Blandford Forum town centre. The practice also acts as Medical Officers to Clayesmore, Knighton House and the Forum Schools and is also closely involved with Blandford Community Hospital.
As a general philosophy the aim of the partners and staff is to preserve the best elements of a traditional style of personal, friendly, accessible family medical practice based on team work, which can react quickly and sensitively to daily demands; and to blend it with well equipped premises and efficient systems for prevention and planned care for chronic conditions. The practice provides a comprehensive range of Primary Care services to its patients.
Patients will be allocated to a named doctor for administration purposes, but patients may choose to see any of the doctors (please tell the receptionist if you have a preference). We recommend that, wherever possible, it is better to see the same doctor for results and non- urgent ongoing treatment. The doctors will see you in surgery by appointment, but urgent cases will be dealt with as they arise by the next available doctor, who will initially respond by telephoning you to assess your medical needs.
In order to prioritise patients on the basis of their need, the reception staff at the surgeries may ask also some questions about the problem. This will help you to get directed to the most appropriate appointment.
Accessing Emergency Medical Treatment
If you are unwell in the evening, overnight or at a weekend: contact The NHS Service 111. This service is for URGENT medical situations; if you or a member of your family become ill and you are concerned. Please note this number is not for routine enquires.
General medical information can be given by NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk). If your injury or illness is serious or if you have a serious accident call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
The Doctors
Child Okeford Surgery:
Dr Elizabeth Paine (Salaried GP)
MBBS BSc MRCGP DCH (London 2007)
Dr Nicholas Berry (Partner)
BmedSci MRCGP BM BS DRCOG DFFP (Nottingham 1997)
Dr Sarah Nixon (Partner)
BA MB BChir (Cambridge 1992)
Blandford Surgery
Dr Jonathan Evans (Partner)
MB BS MRCS LRCP DA Cert GAM (London 1976)
Dr Madeleine Ford (Partner)
MB ChB MRCGP DRCOG DFFP (Birmingham 1989)
Dr Adrienne Slater (Partner)
BSc MB BS DCH DRCOG DFSRH MRCGP (Nottingham2005)
Dr Matthew Sword (Partner)
BM BSc nMRCGP (Southampton 2007)
Dr Mark Nankervis (Partner)
BM MRCGP (Southampton 2005)
Dr Lucy Purcell (Salaried GP)
MPharm MBChB DFSRH (Bristol 2008) MRCGP
Dr Elizabeth Jones (Salaried GP)
MBBS BSc MRCGP (London 2006)
Dr Tracey Wall (Salaried GP)
BM MRCGP (Southampton 2008)
PRACTICE MANAGER (Non Clinical Partner) - Mrs Carol Tilley CMgr MCMI
Clinics
In addition to the large number of appointments available with the Doctors, the practice operates a range of specialised clinics:
Emergency Contraception
Sometimes couples risk pregnancy by not taking adequate precautions. Emergency contraception is effective for up to 72 hours after the event, but you should seek advice as soon as possible.
Menopause HRT Clinic (RGN Buffy Wareham, HRT Nurse Specialist)
Buffy can give advice and discuss problems with the menopause. If you are on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), you should have a check-up at least every six months.
Family Planning (RGN Buffy Wareham - Family Planning Nurse)
All methods of contraception are available and the Family Planning Nurse can do routine contraceptive pill check-ups.
Diabetic Clinic (RGN Linda Shephard - Diabetic Nurse Specialist)
If you have diabetes, you should come to the clinic at least once a year. It helps if you can arrange to have a blood test about 2 weeks before. At the clinic your urine and blood pressure will be checked, your eyes checked by the Doctor and your feet by the Chiropodist. Linda is available at other times to discuss control and monitoring of your diabetes.
Asthma Clinic (RGN Marrianne Hunt – Respiratory Nurse Specialist)
If you have Asthma, you should have a check-up at least once a year.
Please make an appointment with the above nurse.
INR / Warfarin management clinics – (RGN Linda Shephard & RGN Alison Hyde)
Clinics are held at both sites to support patients in managing their INR levels and with taking their Warfarin dosage.
Phlebotomy Clinic
Our Health Care Assistants Lynn, Karina, Emma and Eleanor are available each morning to perform blood tests.
Appointments
We operate an appointment system at both surgeries. Although we try very hard to accommodate everyone, it isn’t always possible to offer you an appointment at the ideal time. If you need to see the doctor urgently you will be seen the same day. All requests for an urgent appointment are initially responded to by a doctor, who will telephone you, usually within two hours. They will discuss your health with you and if necessary will request you to attend the surgery within an appropriate time scale.
ONE appointment is for ONE person only; if someone else needs attention they will need a separate appointment.
To ensure that patients with really urgent problems can be given prompt attention, please don’t ask for an urgent appointment for:
· Repeat prescriptions
· Blood tests or blood pressure checks
· Pill checks or routine ante-natal checks
· Certificates for work
· Minor ailments such as coughs and colds
· Long standing medical problems
Please advise us as soon as possible if you cannot keep your appointment. Hundreds of appointments are wasted each year due to patients not cancelling.
Home Visits
If you think the Doctor needs to visit, please telephone the surgery before 10.30am. The receptionist will ask for some details so that the Doctor can plan his day, and give priority to urgent cases.
The Doctor can only visit if the patient’s medical condition makes it impossible for them to come to the Surgery.
Due to the large rural area we cover, home visits take up a lot of a doctor’s time in travelling. Most examinations and tests are best done at the Surgery.
Dispensary
Repeat prescriptions may be ordered by:
· putting the repeat slip in the box in the Surgery
· ordering over the internet
· shop delivery service
· managed repeat prescription service
Please ask at dispensary about any of the above services.
You can get your medicines at the Surgery if you live more than a mile from a dispensing chemist. Please allow 48 hours for repeat prescription requests to be processed.
There is usually a charge for each item. If you are entitled to free prescriptions we will ask you to show proof of this. Some people are entitled to free prescriptions:
· Children under 16 and full-time students under 19
· People over 60
· Holders of an exemption certificate from the Health Authority
· People who have Income Support or Family Credit or who have a Certificate for Full Help (AG2)
· Some War Pensioners and Service Pensioners.
If you have to pay for your prescriptions, a prepayment 'Season Ticket' will save money if you need more than 5 items in 4 months or more than 14 items in a year. To buy a 'Season Ticket', you need form FP95 from a Social Security office, a Post Office or our Dispensary.
Test Results
Results are available over the telephone after 10.30am. The Receptionist can only give you your results once your Doctor has checked them. To safeguard confidentiality, we will only give results to the patient, or to the parents of young children. As a rough guide, most blood tests take 4-5 days, but some blood tests can take up to 3 weeks, X-rays often take14 days and cervical smears results will take 6-8 weeks.
Medical Examinations
The NHS does not provide the following services. A fee will be charged. Please ask the receptionist or see our website for a list of fees.
· Employment medical examinations.
· Examinations or certificates for travel, school, sport, employment, motor insurance (e.g. elderly driver).
· SCUBA diving medicals.
· Examinations for pilot’s licence (PPL Class 2).
· Seat-belt exemption certificates.
· PSV, HGV licence application medicals.
· Hackney carriage (Taxi Driver application).
· Passport applications, firearms certificates, photo-card driving licence applications.
· Vaccination certificates.
· Holiday cancellation insurance claim forms.
· Private health fees insurance claims (BUPA PPA etc).
· Friendly Society claim forms.
· Medical reports for third parties, e.g. solicitors.
Medical Certificates (Fit Notes)
If you are off work because of sickness, you do not have to provide a Certificate for the first three days. If your Employers insist on one, ask them to speak to the Doctor.