Changes in the Nurses’ Department 2016 at Wistaria
Many of you will know and remember Sister Anne Keir who has been with the Practice for over 30 years. Anne started at the ‘old Wistaria’ and moved to our current building along with Dr David Read back in 2002. Anne reduced her working hours in 2012 when Sister Bronwen Bridges became our lead nurse. She has now decided the time has come to retire from her permanent post following many dedicated years where we have all benefited from her expertise and commitment. We will be seeing Anne from time to time when she covers holiday and other absences, we all wish her the very best for the future. We had a farewell ‘do’ at the practice last month for Anne and I’m sure all patients and friends of the surgery wish her a long and happy retirement.
Our current team at Wistaria is lead by Bronwen Bridges whose specialties include diabetes and cardiac clinic reviews along with immunisation of our new babies and young children. Bronwen works closely with our lead nurse at Milford – Sister Sian Davies and the Practice Manager so we ensure the best use of the nursing team and cover new areas of work when comissioned by NHS England.
The rest of the team, including our invaluable Healthcare Assistant Carol Bedford, remain unchanged. Libby Beevers works at Wistaria on Fridays covering all aspects of nursing and has just completed her training in women’s health.
Jill Jeffery is here on Tuesdays and Julie Meredith on Wednesdays. Jill runs a travel clinic on Tuesday mornings and specialises in women’s health on Tuesday afternoons, Julie specialises in respiratory diseases and women’s health, and they both see patients for other problems too. Most of our nurses also work from our sister surgery at Milford on Sea.
Two new nurses joined us in January, Irene Small and Linda Craig. Irene has had experience at Lymington Hospital and latterly as a community nurse in this area. Linda has worked previously as a theatre sister, before taking a break from nursing. Following her ‘Return to Practice’ course, she decided to pursue a career as a practice nurse. She is currently attending Bournemouth University whilst working here two days a week.
Both Irene and Linda will build up their experience within the surgery over the next few months and take on new skills such as immunisation and chronic disease monitoring.
Jan Lamont, Practice Manager
Some of our nursing team, from left to right:
Libby Beevers, Jill Jeffery, Bronwen Bridges, Carol Bedford and Linda Craig