Portland Medical Practice
Dr T Mehta Dr S Hindocha Dr R Chalmers Dr A Thurkettle
PORTLAND MEDICAL PRACTICE
60 Portland Street
Lincoln
LN5 7LB
Also at
Newland Health Centre
34 Newland
Lincoln
LN1 1XP
Telephone01522 876800
Fax01522 876803
emailenquiries@portland medicalpractice.co.uk
QUICK GUIDE:
- Some appointments are pre-bookable up to eight weeks in advance to help you plan your healthcare.
- ‘Doctor Call Back Service’ is available for telephone triage consultations with the GP.
- Evening Access pre-bookable appointments are available on Monday and Thursday for those patients at work during normal practice hours.
- Same day care GP appointments are released at 8am for the morning session and 1pm for the afternoon session.
- If test results are needed please telephone in between 2pm and 4pm daily.
- Please let us know in advance if you need to cancel you appointment on 01522 876800 or visit
- For Repeat Prescriptions use the tick boxes on your prescription counterfoil or visit
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG)& PATIENT REFERENCE GROUP
Set up to provide a channel through which patients can make their views, non medical concerns and ideas on any future developments of the practice known to the practice staff.
This remit breaks down into five key areas;
- To publicise the Practice facilities, services and future initiatives to patients
- To monitor patient confidence in existing practices, new initiatives and changes to procedure
- To assist in maintaining the present high standards of service provided to the patients
- To review and update these aims so as to keep them relevant to the needs of the Practice and the patients.
- To work with the OPTIMUS partnership of six practices to provide a more comprehensive and beneficial service to patients and to share best practice.
If you would like further information or would like to consider joining the Patient Reference Group or Patient Participation Group please ask at reception.
PATIENTS RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
- The practice aims to offer a polite, friendly and confidential service to our patients at all times.
- We aim to offer routine GP appointments within 2 working days. If patients feel their condition is more urgentthen same day care appointments are available.
- We aim to see patients at the time of their appointment, but by the nature of the job this is sometimes difficult to achieve. If a patient has to wait more than 20 minutes our reception staff will be happy to explain the cause of the delay and give an indication of how long the wait may be.
- To maintain a high standard of care, patients can be confident that all members of the practice team receive regular training and updating.
- Patients are entitled to an explanation of any treatment given by the practice.
- Any suggestions to improve the quality of our service will be taken seriously and discussed at a practice meeting.
- We expect patients to extend to staff the same courtesy that is given to them. Patients who are violent, abusive or aggressive will be removed from the practice list.
- Wherever possible patients are expected to attend the surgery and turn up for their appointment on time. Genuine housebound and seriously ill patients have a right to a home visit when necessary.
- Patients have a right to be given a practice leaflet informing them of details of our services.
10. Commitments are reviewed regularly by the whole practice team.
Action will be taken where we are not meeting these aims.
The Practice Team
GP Partners
Dr Tej Mehta (Male)MBBS FPA Cert.
Registered 1980
Dr Sunil Hindocha (Male)MB Ch. B. MRCGP
DRCOG. FPA Cert
Registered 1987
Dr Richard Chalmers (Male)B.Med Sci BM,BS
DRCOG PG Cert Med Ed
DFSRH MRCGP
Registered 1985
Associate GP
Dr Alison Thurkettle (Female)MB Ch. B. DRCOG.
Registered 1985
Nurse Practitioners
Catherine Crichton (female)Registered General Nurse
Nurse Independent/Supplementary Prescriber
BSc Health Studies, Certificate in Advanced Practice
Diploma in Asthma, Diploma in Diabetes
Laura Davies (female)Registered General Nurse
Nurse Independent/Supplementary Prescriber
BSc District Nursing
We are a well established practice providing a comprehensive range of medical services. We aim to offer you the best possible service in friendly, traditional and professional way.
Our main premises in Portland Street are purpose built with disabled access. Our branch practice at Newland Health Centre also has disabled access provision. Both locations offer the latest facilities with full and comprehensive care.
Practice Manager – Office Manager – Practice Administrator
The practice management team is responsible for the day-to-day organisation of the Practice.
Receptionists
The Receptionists are your first contact with the Practice. They are trained to help and guide you regarding the services provided by our Practice. Any information they receive is treated in the strictest confidence. If you are able to provide them with details of your enquiry they will be able to recommend the best solution for your needs.
Secretary
Our secretary provides general secretarial support to the GPs and to the Practice
Frailty Team
We work closely with the frailty and hospital avoidance team to keep patients at home as much as possible. Ryan Donaldson attends the practice on a daily basis and also visits patients in their homes.
Practice Nurses
There are three Practice Nurses, a Health Care Assistant and a Phlebotomist available by appointment.
They are able to help with:-
Dressings, Cervical Smear Tests, Injections, Immunisations, Blood Tests, Family Planning Advice, Health Checks, Assist GPs with Minor Surgery and other matters.
We also have two senior nurses working at an advanced level as Nurse Practitioners. You may not always need to see a Doctor for your problem and may be offered an appointment with a Nurse Practitioner as an alternative. They are able to deal with the following:-
Athletes’ FootChest InfectionsWound InfectionsCommon Cold
Cold SoresContraceptionCystitisDiarrhoea and Vomiting
Dog BitesEar InfectionsHay feverHeadaches
Minor InjuriesTraumaMouth UlcersVaginal Discharge
WhitlowPsoriasisEczemaVerrucae
RashesImpetigoRingworm
SinusitisSore ThroatSplintersSprains
SunburnTonsillitisThrushUTI (Adult Females)
ADDITIONAL CLINICS - Please check at reception for days and times
Antenatal, Child Health & Immunisation, Phlebotomy, Spirometry
Ultrasound Scanning
We also provide the following clinics by appointment:-
Smoking Cessation, Hypertension, Contraception, Family Planning & Menopause, Asthma, Diabetic, Cervical Cytology or Smear Test
Practice Opening Times – exclude Bank Holidays
Portland StreetMonday to Friday08:00 -18:30
Newland Health Centre
Monday08:00 -12:30
Tuesday08:00 -12:30
Thursday08:00 -12:30
Thursday13:30 -18:30
Outside these hours, you will be diverted to an answer machine where you will hear a message but you will be unable to leave a message.
Appointments can be requested by visiting or by telephone on 01522 876800.
For those patients not able to attend due to their working hours we may offer a pre bookable appointment during our ‘extended access’ evening sessions which run from 18:30 to 19.00 on Monday and Thursday.
DATA PROTECTION ACT – PATIENT INFORMATION
We need to hold personal information about you on our computer system and in paper records to help us to look after your health needs, and your doctor is responsible for their accuracy and safe-keeping. Please help to keep your record up to date by informing us of any changes to your circumstances or your contact details.
Doctors and staff in the practice have access to your medical records to enable them to do their jobs. From time to time information may be shared with others involved in your care if it is necessary. Anyone with access to your record is properly trained in confidentiality issues and is governed by both a legal and contractual duty to keep your details private.
All information about you is held securely and appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent accidental loss.
In some circumstances we may be required by law to release your details to statutory or other official bodies, for example if a court order is presented, or in the case of public health issues. In other circumstances you may be required to give written consent before information is released – such as for medical reports for insurance, solicitors etc.
To ensure your privacy, we will not disclose information over the telephone or fax unless we are sure that we are talking to you. Information will not be disclosed to family, friends, or spouses unless we have prior written consent, and we do not leave messages with others.
You have a right to see your records if you wish. Please ask at reception if you would like further details. An appointment will usually be required and in some circumstances a fee may be payable.
ATTACHED STAFF
The Community Health Visitor team sometimes utilise our premises and we are in contact with our District Nurses and can liaise with them if you so need.
Our Midwife is based at the Practice on Monday all day and Wednesday afternoon and she can by contacted by telephone at all other times.
SUGGESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS
We welcome your comments and suggestions on the service we provide. These should be directed to the Practice Manager who will deal with any issues immediately and provide you with information on the Complaints Procedure if appropriate. You are also invited to join the Patient Reference Group or Patient Participation Group.
CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS
Please notify us immediately if you change any of your contact details. Also remember to let other healthcare providers that you may be dealing with know such as the hospital or your dentist.
TO CANCEL APPOINTMENTS
It is essential that you let us know in good time if you need to cancel your appointment so that we can offer it to another patient. Contact us on 01522 876800 or via
If a patient repeatedly fails to attend for appointments, they may be removed from the practice list and asked to find an alternative practice.
We are striving to reduce the numbers of appointments wasted by patients just not turning up.
HOW TO REGISTER AS A PATIENT
Patients who wish to register with us must live within the practice boundary as shown on the MAP supplied with this leaflet:
- Visit the practice to obtain your application pack and to arrange a return appointment to go through the New Registration Process with a member of our team.
- Let us know in advance if you require any additional support.
- Attend your New Registration Appointment with your completed forms and your supporting documents. It is practice policy that all new registrations must provide Photographic Identification (passport, photographic driving licence etc).
- The application form includes questions on carers, ethnicity and health history to help us ensure that we provide the best solutions for your needs.
- At the New Registration Appointment a member of our team will go through the checking process, provide information on our services, obtain further information as required and take copies of the documents submitted.
NAMED GP
From July 2015, all registered patients will be allocated a named GP, though you may choose to see the practitioner of your choice and they will have access to your full medical record. If you wish to know who your named GP is, please ask at reception.
TEMPORARY RESIDENTS
Please ask at Reception if you require medical care during your stay.
NON NHS SERVICES
We offer a range of other services that attract a fee:
1.Insurance and Pre-employment Medical Reports
2.LGV/HGV and PSV Medical Reports
3.Private Certificate & Insurance Certificates
OVERSEAS TRAVEL
Travel Vaccinations are available by appointment with a Practice Nurse but allow plenty of time before you travel – at least four weeks for EU and at least six weeks for other destinations.
MINOR SURGERY
Some procedures can be done within the Practice after consultation with the GP.
EMERGENCIES
01522 876800
OUT OF HOURS
111 provides quick access to urgent healthcare services via a free to call, easy to remember three digit number. 111 will assess caller’s needs and direct them to the right NHS service. in
For minor illness and injuries visit the NHSWalk In Centre at 63 Monks Road, Lincoln, LN2 5HP – open 8am to 8pm and no prior appointment is required.
HOME VISIT
If you are not able to visit the Practice and require a home visit please telephone before 10:00am with your illness details and telephone number.
TELEPHONE ADVICE
Medical information, advice and guidance can often be provided without the need to visit the Practice. Please ask about our ‘Doctor Call Back’ service appointments.
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
Just tick the items you need on the Counterfoil from your previous Prescription and return it to us. There is also a collection box in Reception which is emptied daily. Allow 48 hours before collecting.
Another quick and easy way to order is to just click the ‘Repeat Prescriptions’ button on our web site
VIOLENT OR ABUSIVE PATIENTS
If patients commit an act of violence or abusive incident they may be removed from the practice list and may be reported to the police.
TRAINING PRACTICE
We are a Training Practice so GP Registrars will be working with our team from time to time. Relevant information will be displayed on our waiting room screen as appropriate.
GP Registrars join us for either four week or twelve month attachments. They are fully qualified Doctors but have not yet completed the specialised extra training now required before they can become an associate or a partner in General Practice. Occasionally you may be asked for your consent for your consultation to be recorded to assist them with their training.