CHILLINGTON HEALTH CENTRE
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
NEWS and UPDATE (4)
In our March newsletter we set out the steps being taken by the practice to replace Dr
John McCormick, who left Chillington for family reasons, and Dr Chris McIntosh who is retiring from the practice in August, a few months earlier than anticipated. Progress has
been made.
Dr Alison Harvey and Dr Sue Crawford are now very happy to report that Dr Mark Mordue
will be joining the practice as a partner in early August to replace Dr McIntosh. In a note to
patients Dr Mordue writes:
“I am delighted to be joining the Team at Chillington Health Centre in early August. Some of you
may remember me from a 6 week period I spent working here in 2009 as a trainee, when I was
first introduced to this great group of people. So, having qualified as a GP, I was more than interested when the opportunity to apply for the position arose: Chillington Health Centre was always
top of my wish list.
I have had an unconventional journey to medicine via; Officer , Royal Navy ( my time at BRNC
Dartmouth first introduced me to the beautiful South Hams), Senior Management roles in International IT and Operations management with Fidelity Investment, prior to “downshifting” my family to
a smallholding in South Milton in 1998. Some of you may have bought some of our organic produce at Kingsbridge Farmer’s Market.
Some may also recognise my wife Teresa, who has worked in Chillington and the surrounding areas as a Midwife and is currently working in Derriford. We have four children, all educated at KCC;
the youngest is just coming to the end of Year 8. As you can see we have become very rooted in
this community.
Looking ahead, I am looking forward to confronting the challenges which General Practice is experiencing but commit to maintaining the highest standards of care you have all come to expect. I
particularly look forward to working with the Patient Participation Group in identifying and, where
feasible, helping to develop new services for our community.”
The search for new partners has taken place against the background of a national shortage of General Practitioners and in particular those who are willing to take on the responsibilities of partnership. It is not generally appreciated that, although working within the
National Health Service, GP practices in local communities are private businesses. They
provide specified services under contract to the NHS. With the ongoing upheaval and uncertainties in the NHS many doctors are reluctant to commit themselves personally and
financially to practice partnership on a long term or permanent basis.
While recognising the preference of patients to see and be treated by doctors who are
partners at Chillington Health Centre Doctors Harvey and Crawford have been compelled
to accept that there is this shortage of GPs who are prepared to enter into a partnership
CHILLINGTON HEALTH CENTRE
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
here or elsewhere. They are however very happy to have engaged Dr Claire Freeman and
Dr Julie Best. They are both very experienced GPs and will be doing some regular sessions with the practice for the foreseeable future. They have been working in Chillington
for some time and many patients will already have met them. Their assistance will ensure
continuity and, as in the recent past, keep to a minimum the need to engage other locum
doctors.
Help the Doctors and Staff
The PPG has been asked to remind patients of ways in which patients can assist in the
smooth running of the practice to the benefit of everyone.
Home Visits: Patients are asked to attend the surgery whenever possible. When this is
not possible they are asked to phone before 11am to request a home visit. This allows the
doctors to plan their visits prior to afternoon surgery and helps to prevent unnecessary delays.
Prescriptions: Requests for repeat prescriptions must be made giving 2 Full Working
Days Notice. When requesting or collecting repeat prescriptions please try to avoid busy
times when surgeries are in progress.
Advance Notice
The practice, together with the PPG, has been working with the South Devon and Torbay
Clinical Commissioning Group (the CCG) to arrange a public meeting at the Stokenham
Parish Hall on 7th October 2015. The main purpose of this meeting will be to engage with
patients and residents of the area covered by the Chillington practice, to outline the
healthcare plans for the area and to explain the progress that has been made. The programme will include a short talk by Dr Crawford who, as Joint Clinical Lead of the Moor to
Sea Locality (our locality within the CCG area), is and has been very actively involved. It
is hoped that she will be able to give the latest news on the South Hams Hospital at
Kingsbridge, the future of which has given rise to concern locally.
Further details of this meeting will be published as soon as possible.
patients and other residents are encouraged to attend.
29th June 2015
John Venmore
PPG Chair
All Chillington