How Do I Register with the Practice

THE FARMHOUSE SURGERY

The Farmhouse Surgery

We welcome you as a patient to our practice which is an equal partnership offour general practitioners and forms a part of the Dorset Primary Care Trust. This booklet is intended to inform you of the services available and to help you to get full benefit from them. We hope you will find it useful.

Surgery Opening Times

The surgery reception is open between 8.30am and 6.30pm from Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. We also offerextended hours surgery on a Monday evening. Speak to our receptionists or check out our Notice Board for details

Surgery Contact Details

Appointments01202 488486

Enquiries & visits01202 488487

Out of Hours Emergencies01202 488487

How Do I…… Register with The Practice?

When you register with the practice it will help to speed up the registration process if you are able to present your Medical Card or your NHS number. (If you have lost your Medical Card contact the Dorset Health Authority Health Line on 0800 66 55 44 for a replacement.) You will be registered with a named practitioner;should you wish to be registered with either a male or female GP please let this be known when you register. You will be invited to make an appointment for a new patient registration check when details of your past medical history will be taken, any current needs noted and a simple health check will be performed.

Please help your doctor to help you by attending a new patient health check as soon as possible after registering with the practice as it may take some months before we receive your previous medical records.

After registration you may see any doctor regardless of with whom you are registered.

If you are a foreign visitor you may be entitled to NHS treatment as a temporary resident, dependent on your country of origin. If not, then you can be treated as a private patient. Current fee scale is available at reception.

If you wish to change to another practice simply take your Medical Card to the practice of your choice and ask if they will accept you onto their list.

How Do I…… Obtain Telephone Advice? 

If you wish to speak to your doctor or nurse on the telephone, ask the receptionist and she will advise you of the most convenient time to ring so that the surgery consultations are not disturbed. The best time is usually between 11.00 and 11.30am.

In the interest of security, phone calls may be recorded.

How Do I…… Obtain Test Results

Please telephone or call after 3.00pm to confirm that results of blood tests, x-rays etc have been received. Give your full name, address and the date on which the test was carried out. Allow five working days before making enquiries. Some tests may take longer. Results of tests asked for by hospital doctors are returned to the hospital directly.

NB:If you are asked to return to the surgery to discuss a particular result, please make your appointment with the doctor who arranged the test.

How Do I……Obtain A Sickness Certificate?

For absence from work through sickness, self certification is currently valid for the first week. The sick certificate (form SC2) is available from your employer or the post office.

We do not issue a doctor's certificate for the first sevendaysofsickness.
If a private certificate to cover this absence from work is required, a fee is charged.After the first week certificates are obtained as part of a consultation with your doctor.If you are under the care of a hospital doctor you may ask them to issue your certificate for an inpatient stay or an outpatient appointment.

How Do I…… Obtain a Home Visit

Home visits are only for those who are infirm, bedridden or have a medical problem which prevents them from attending the surgery. Please try to telephone between 8.30 and 10.00am if possible (late calls may result in a long delay in visiting). If you can get to the medical centre this helps us and you, as we have better facilities here for examination and treatment.

How Do I…… Obtain a Repeat Prescription

There are currently three methods available to you in ordering your repeat prescription.

Throughthe practice website on or

through the clinical system (pin number required which can be arranged by the receptionist) or

the conventional way, by letter (please enclose SAE) or may be placed in a box at reception.
It is important that you allow sufficient time to process prescriptions. Please allow two working days for processing your repeat prescription. Should you require a prescription urgently, please let the receptionist know.

Many chemists collect prescriptions from the surgery but please allow extra time for this service.

How Do I…… Change My Details

To ensure the practice holds the correct information about you, it is very important that you inform us of any changes e.g. name, marital status, address or telephone number. Changes can be made either through our website or by requesting a form from the receptionist.

The Doctors in Partnership

Dr Andrew Blaikley - (GP Senior Partner)Special Interests: Asthma, and Local Commissioning

Dr Blaikley has been with the Practice since 1989 having previously gained hospital experience in London, Canterbury and Poole.

Dr Stuart Dague - (GP Partner)Special Interests: General Medicine

Dr Dague has been with the practice since 2000. He moved to Dorset in 1993 in order to undertake his training in General Practice, and prior to thathe worked as an anaesthetist at a number of hospitals in theWessex region.

Dr John Harrington - (GP Partner) Special Interests: Paediatrics, Rheumatology

Part of my clinical elective time was spent studying paediatrics in Nairobi. I am a keen windsurfer and enjoy the outdoors.

Dr Jenifer Worden– (GP Partner) specialist Interests: Women’s Health, Paediatrics and Complimentary Medicine.

In her spare time Dr Worden enjoys horse riding and keeping up with her two teenagers.

Salaried Doctor

Dr Andrew Hoyle –(Salaried GP) Dr Hoyle joined the practice in November 2011 after a year spent with his wife doing overseas voluntary work in India, Nepal and Japan. His specialist interests are musculoskeletal and sports medicine.

The Nursing Team

Advanced Nurse Practitioners

Trudy Dague RGN 1990 Bsc (Hons) Nurse Practitioner

Anna Edwards RGN Bsc (Hons) Nurse Practitioner

Our Nurse Practitioners have completed advanced education and training in the management and diagnosis of acute medical conditions (i.e. chestinfection, tonsillitis, ear problems,skin complaints, and urinary symptoms).

They are also able to prescribe medications for you if required and refer you onto another professional if necessary (i.e. GP, Physio).

Practice Nurses

Sister Sue Thomson (leadnurse for the practice)

Hannah Smith

Lesley Payne

Beverley Duncan

Our experienced practice nurses hold surgeries in the mornings and afternoons. They can help you with immunisations, travel advice, ear syringing, dressings and other referrals which your doctor may arrange. In addition, Sister Sueruns the practice clinics for patients withchronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and heart problems.

Community Nurses

The District Nurses provide quality nursing care in your home, a service available to those who are housebound either temporarily or permanently. This team of nurses provide support and advice to patients and their carers, helping them remain independent. The District Nurses can be contacted via the surgery.

Sister Gerri Yearworth

Staff Nurse Elaine Ramsier

Staff Nurse Karen Armstrong

HCA Bev Duncan

Practice Management

Mrs Sheila Leete, Practice Manager

I joined The Farmhouse Surgery as Practice Manager in February 2006 to take on the day to day running of the practice;prior to that I worked for Dorset Primary Care Trust.

If you have any comments or problems about the service please feelfree to contact me.

My outside interests include Girlguiding, morris dancing and walking.

Reception

Our reception staff are here to welcome you to the practice, and to help you access your appointments, collect your prescriptions, and answer your queries. They are often busy helping someone else so you may have to wait for their attention, your patience is appreciated.

Remember we also have a team of staff behind the scenes working hard on your behalf to organise the services we provide, communicate with other areas of the NHS and keep your records up to date.

Administration

IT ADMINISTRATORLisa Jones

Lisa's main role is the carrying out of all audits, quarterly returns and ensure that all patient registration details are correct.

SECRETARYSandra Mundy

Sandra is responsible for the secretarial duties for all clinicians including the Choose and Book hospital referrals.

Our Services

TREATMENT ROOM

We offer the benefits of a well equipped treatment room, where the practice nurses undertake duties such as vaccinations, dressings, removal of stitches, ear syringing and blood pressure checks. Appointments for the practice nursing team are made via reception. There is a daily transport of pathological specimens to the hospital laboratories, therefore all specimens must be received by 12.30pm to link with specimen transport.

HEALTH PROMOTION

Well Person - General check, including blood pressure, weight, advice on diet, exercise and other health information is offered. A cholesterol check is only carriedoutif indicated and appropriate.

Menopause - Counselling and advice on HRT and menopause issues is available. Osteoporosis advice and information is also available.

Diabetes - Patients with diabetes are invited to attend for regular discussion and monitoring of their condition by specially trained nurses.

Asthma - Patients with asthma are encouraged to attend for regular checks on treatment and symptoms, and advice on how to manage their asthma. Consultations are available by appointment with Sister Sue Thomson.

CHD –Patients with coronary heart disease are encouraged to attend for regular check ups with specially trained nurses

CERVICAL SMEAR TESTS

Women between the ages of 25 and 64 years are encouraged through the national recall scheme to attend for acervical smear every three years. If you think your appointment is overdue, please check with the practice.

When booking, please tell the receptionist you are coming for a smear. Any woman who has signed a declaration to be screened may contact the practice should she wish to reverse the decision.

Out-Of-Hours

Out of hours is between 6.30pm and 8.30am Monday to Friday and at weekends and bank holidays. If you are unwell during this time Call the Emergency Care Service on 0845 600 1013.

This service is for urgent medical reasons - i.e. if you (or a member of your family) become ill and you are concerned. It is not for routine enquiries such as booking an appointment with your GP, repeat prescriptions, test results, etc.

When you ring the Urgent Care Service your call will go through to a call centre wherea trained member of staff will answer the phone and take some details from you. They will pass on your details straight to a doctor or nurse who will ring you back to ask you more about the problem and will decide on the best option for you.

Depending on the gravity of your condition, this might be: advice over the phone, a visit to a local treatment centre, or a home visit by a nurse, doctor or paramedic.

MATERNITY

Antenatal Clinic - All the doctors provide maternity services and like to see their patients as early as possible in the pregnancy when further maternity care will be arranged. In addition, the midwife's antenatal clinic is held every Wednesday.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapy (both NHS and Private) is available in the Loft Suite or at ChristchurchHospital. NHS appointments can be made either after consultation with your doctor or by self referral. Self referral forms are available from the receptionist. Private Physiotherapy is provided by the Christchurch Physiotherapy Practice - Tel: 477335.

CHIROPODY

NHS chiropody is available to patients with special medical needs. Referrals are made through the GP.

Private chiropody treatment is available in the Loft Suite by phoning 486948.

COUNSELLING

Referrals to the counselling service are made through your GP. Appointments are generally held within the Christchurch area.

CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

Children from birth to five years are regularly examined to assess their growth and development, via our health visitor service.

MINOR SURGERY

Certain minor surgical procedures can be performed by the doctors on the premises. This may be more convenient for you and may save considerable time waiting for hospital treatment.

FAMILY PLANNING

Contraception - a full range of contraceptive services is provided by the doctors during surgery hours. We offer emergency contraception including the "morning after pill".

TRAVEL

Our practice nurses are available by appointment to offer medical advice regarding travel and vaccinations where appropriate. Please plan ahead - don't leave your vaccinations until the last minute (eight weeks if possible for exotic destinations). Ask the receptionist for a travel vaccination questionnaire which, when completed, will be given to the practice nurse to check which, if any, vaccinations you require.

It should be noted that it is NHS policy for these drugs to be prescribed only on a private basis. These arrangements have been agreed with our local Primary Care Trust.

Malaria - For foreign travel to areas where malaria is endemic, it is recommended that patients take medication.

IMMUNISATIONS

We encourage all patients to protect themselves against tetanus and polio.If you have never been immunised against tetanus please arrange a primary course of immunisation with the nurse.

Patients over 65 years and those with certain chronic illnesses are encouraged to take up flu immunisation. Flu vaccination clinics which are advertised locally are held during the period October to December each year.

Baby Vaccination Clinic is held weekly on a Wednesday morning by appointment. We advise that all children should be completely immunised starting at 2 months.

NON NHS EXAMINATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

Medical examinations e.g. driving, insurance medicals etc, can be arranged by appointment. These, and claim forms for holiday cancellation, medical insurance etc, are not part of your doctor's NHS duties and therefore a fee in the range recommended by the BMA is payable.

Practice Charter

It is our aim to provide a professional and caring medical service of the highest quality and to work together to meet the needs of our patients and community.

Our Responsibilities to You

• The practice will provide and maintain premises that are clean, comfortable, and safe and are easily accessible to all our patients including those with mobility difficulties or special needs.
• The patient will be treated as an individual and will be given courtesy and respect at all times. You have the right to be treated with confidentiality.
• The practice will offer same-day consultations, to all patients, by appointment. We will ensure that you can have a non-urgent appointment with the doctor of your choice. However, there may be a delay involved before this is possible.
• Clinicians will aim to see you within 15 minutes of your appointment time. Nevertheless, delay is sometimes unavoidable, particularly in the case of emergencies. When this happens we will try to keep you informed.
• A home visit will be arranged if appropriate if you are too ill or infirm and unable to be brought to the surgery.
• The practice will ensure that a doctor is on call at all times.
• The practice has the right to remove patients from their list if they repeatedly and persistently ignore their responsibilities to the practice and to other patients.

Your Responsibilities to Us

• Please let us know if you change your name, address or telephone number.
• We ask that you treat the doctors and practice staff with the courtesy and respect that you yourself would expect.
• Please only request home visits by the doctor when you really are too ill to get to the surgery. Most children can be brought to the surgery quite safely by car or taxi. The less time a doctor spends travelling, the more time is available for patients. Please remember that night visits are for emergencies only.
• Please do everything you can to keep appointments and to be punctual. If you cannot attend please let us know as soon as possible, otherwise other patients may need to wait longer. Please make more than one appointment if you want more than one patient to be seen.
• If the doctor or nurse is running late, please be patient. On another occasion it may be you that needs the extra time and attention.
• A patient should not expect to be given a prescription at every visit to the doctor. Please check your existing supplies before ordering repeat prescriptions.
• Please remember that your doctor of choice may not always be available due to other commitments and holidays.
• Please remember that you are responsible for your own health and the health of your children and that we are here to give our professional help and advice.
• If a patient is unhappy with the practice, or the service provided, he/she has the right to leave the list and register with another practice.

COMPLAINTS/COMMENTS