The Brookside Group Practice
Brookside Surgery
Brookside Close
Gipsy Lane
Earley
Berkshire, RG6 7HG
Telephone: 0118 966 9333
0118 9353174
Fax:
Website
www.brooksidegrouppractice.co.uk
When the surgery is closed call NHS 111 Service
The Brookside Group Practice
Welcome to our website where we hope you will find enhanced convenience added to first class
healthcare.
The Practice is open from 8:00 – 18:30 Monday – Friday. When we are closed please call NHS 111 for
medical advice.
Click here:
 For details of branch surgery opening times
 To order repeat medication
 To view our clinics and services
 If you would like to register with us
 If you wish to receive text message reminders
Your Health
Access to a wide range of healthcare services is a key element of a good local practice. We don’t just
want to see you when you are ill; we want to make sure you stay healthy too. Check out how we can
cover both bases with our clinics and services. Our professional team will ensure you receive the best
attention at all times whether you’re attending a specialist clinic or a routine appointment. If you’re
new to the area registration is easy please click here for more information.
Online Appointment Booking
Our patients can now book routine Doctors' appointments online. Patients need to be registered to use
this service provided by VOS (Vision Online Services)
www.myvisiononline.co.uk
(www.myvisiononline.co.uk/) . Proof of ID is required. Please contact your surgery for more details.
About Us
Our aim is to provide a high standard of healthcare by making appropriate and innovative use of limited
NHS resources in partnership with other healthcare providers and in partnership with you.
The practice, which has a Christian foundation, was started in 1977 when Dr Derek Munday took over a
single-handed practice in Wokingham Road, Earley. It expanded rapidly throughout the 1970s and 80s
when Lower Earley was built, and we now serve about 26,500 people from our three surgeries in
Earley, Lower Earley and Winnersh.
Our team of about 130 people includes doctors, practice nurses, healthcare assistants, patient
services, support staff, district nurses, midwives, dieticians, smoking cessation advisers,
physiotherapists and counsellors. Other professionals regularly visit the practice. The practice is part of
the Wokingham Clinical Commissioning Group.
Follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/@BGPReading)
This website is coded to enable easy zoom of text. All modern browsers incorporate a
zoom function.
BGP goes live on Twitter
We now have an Official Brookside Twitter account! If you’d like to
receive regularupdates please follow us @BGPReading.
Care.data
NHS England is commissioning a new data service, known as Care.data , on behalf of the NHS.
This system includes extraction of your anonymised information which can be used by researchers,
health services commissioners to help provide better care for everyone.
To find out more, please visit www.nhs.uk/caredata (www.nhs.uk/caredata) , for further
information visit www.hscic.gov.uk (www.hscic.gov.uk/)
If you do not wish to share your information in this way please ask a member of staff for an Opt Out
Form which needs to be completed and returned to the surgery. This is also available on our
website.
Please note if you have opted out of the Summary Care Records service you will NOT automatically
be opted out from the Care.data service but will need to complete a new form.
Opening Times
The Practice is open Monday - Friday and the opening times of all three of our sites are as
follows:
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Brookside Surgery: 08:00 - 18:30
Chalfont Surgery: 08:25 - 17:30 (blood clinic Wednesdays 07:00 - 10:30)
Winnersh Surgery: 08:25 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 17:00 (closed from 12:30 on Thursdays)
The same telephone number applies for all three sites: 0118 966 9333.
Our telephone lines are open Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18.30.
When We Are Closed
Out-of-hours emergency cover is provided by NHS 111.
NHS 111
In the case of urgent medical needs, when the practice is closed, you can call the NHS 111
(www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/NHS111.aspx) service to speak to a fully trained advisers, supported by experienced nurses and
paramedics. They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, then give you the healthcare
advice you need or direct you straightaway to the local service that can help you best. That could
be A&E, an out-of-hours Doctor, an urgent care centre or a Walk-in Centre, a communnity
nurse, an emergency dentist or a late-opening chemist. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day and
365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
Walk-in Centre
Reading Walk-in Centre is open 8am-8pm every day, including Bank Holidays, tel: 0118 902
8300 (1st floor, 103-105 Broad Street Mall, Reading, RG1 7QU).
Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
Appointments
All surgeries and clinics have an appointments system. Appointments are 10 minutes long.
Please remember to make an appointment for each person who needs to be seen. When you book
you will be asked to state briefly the nature of your problem to enable us to direct you to the
most appropriate member of the health care team.
Routine or non-urgent consultations are bookable up to four weeks in advance and asking for
your usual doctor will give you better quality care.
A limited number of on-the-day consultations are also available however your usual doctor may
not always be available.
Medically urgent appointments are offered at the end of routine surgeries which might mean
waiting. The clinician will assess you and if necessary you might need to book a further
appointment during usual surgery hours.
Early morning, evening and Saturday morning appointments are pre-bookable and available on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, early mornings on Wednesday and some Saturday
mornings. These take place mainly at Brookside Surgery in Gipsy Lane, though GPs from all
three sites are involved.
Telephone Consultations
Certain queries or problems can be dealt with without having to attend the surgery. Patient
services will take your name, a contact number and a brief message, and the doctor or nurse will
call you back. Please ensure you are available to receive the call.
Please note that we will not be able to return your call if the number given bars anonymised
calls.
It is possible to cancel a telephone consultation on-line if it is no longer required. Please fill in
the cancellation form on the Home page by giving us your details, date the telephone
consultation was booked for and indicating "telephone call" in the Appointment With box. We
will then be able to re-use the slot for somebody else.
Practice Nurses
In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather
than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen
more quickly.
Chaperone
If you would like a chaperone present during your consultation please advise us when booking
your appointment, or when when checking-in, or at any point during your consultation.
Cancellations
If you cannot attend an appointment or keep a booked telephone consultation for any reason
please inform us as soon as possible, preferably before 08:00 on the day, in order for us to give
the slot to someone else. You can use the on-line cancellation form available on Home page to
cancel both surgery and telephone consultations. To cancel a telephone consultation you will
need to indicate "telephone call" in the Appointment With box.
We do provide a service whereby we can send text reminders of pending appointments to your
mobile telephone.
Car Parking
There is limited parking at the three surgeries. We do everything we reasonably can to ensure
spaces are kept for those who are unable to walk far but spaces cannot be guaranteed. We would
ask patients who are able to walk to the surgeries to do so, or to park elsewhere, to make it easier
for those who are very ill. All surgeries are equipped with automatic opening front doors and
designated parking spaces to allow easy disabled access.
Home Visits
If possible please try to telephone reception before 11:00 if you require a home visit.
You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your
GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also
decide how urgently a visit is needed.
You can be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should
also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly
registered with a GP and have a child under five years.
Sickness Certificates
You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your
employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is
available from your employer or on the HMRC website (www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/sc2.pdf) .
Evidence that you are sick
If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of
medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).
It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate,
now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence
that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.
You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist.
Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any
doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.
Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'
The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help
you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or
injury.
For more information see the DirectGov website
(www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/
DG_175850) (where this information was sourced)
Repeat Prescriptions
Brookside Patients: Order Your Repeat Prescription Online
Chalfont Surgery: Order Your Repeat Prescription Online
Winnersh Surgery: Order Your Repeat Prescription Online
Patients on long-term medication can order repeat prescriptions in a number of ways:
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By Hand – drop your computerised repeat slip in at reception with the required items
clearly marked.
By Post – send it to us with a stamped addressed envelope if you want us to post it back
to you.
By Fax – numbers for each site can be found in the contact details page.
Online – follow the links above
For safety reasons we cannot accept requests for repeat prescriptions over the telephone.
You can collect prescriptions in person from the surgery during opening hours Monday to
Friday, or you can arrange for your local chemist to collect your prescription for you.
Medication Reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see either a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice
nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.
Please allow two full working days between requesting and collecting your medication.
Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions
Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying
charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).
The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought
it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription
prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.
NHS charges
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
prescriptions are free of charge.
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Prescription (per item): £7.85
12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00
3-month PPC: £29.10
If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 14 items
in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.
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Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line
There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website
(www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx)
Please allow 48 hours, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, for your request to be processed.
Any problems please telephone the surgery.
Email address - this is not compulsory but if you do enter it here a confirmation email will be
sent to you when you submit your re-order form, and we will be able to notify you in case there
is a query about your medication request and it cannot be processed.
About Us
Our aim is to provide a high standard of healthcare by making appropriate and innovative use of
limited NHS resources in partnership with other healthcare providers and in partnership with
you.
The practice, which has a Christian foundation, was started in 1977 when Dr Derek Munday took
over a single-handed practice in Wokingham Road, Earley. It expanded rapidly throughout the
1970s and 80s when Lower Earley was built, and we now serve about 26,500 people from our
three surgeries in Earley, Lower Earley and Winnersh.
Our team of about 130 people includes doctors, practice nurses, healthcare assistants, patient
services, support staff, district nurses, health visitors, midwives, dieticians, smoking cessation
advisers, physiotherapists and counsellors. Other professionals regularly visit the practice. The
practice is part of the Wokingham Clinical Commissioning Group. For more information about
WCCG please visit www.wokinghamccg.nhs.uk (www.wokinghamccg.nhs.uk)
Teaching practice
We are part of the Oxford Regional Scheme for training GPs and supporting medical and nursing
teaching. Sometimes one of our team may have a doctor or medical student nurse with them
during consultation.
When this happens we will always ask beforehand whether you are comfortable with this, or
whether you would prefer to see your doctor or nurse on their own. Occasionally a video
recording may be made of the consultation, but only with your written consent.
Our last Training practice Re-assessment visit took place in November 2013. Here are some of
the assessors' comments about the practice:
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We were hugely impressed by your organisation– the practice is huge yet incredibly
personal which is an achievement many practices aspire to.
Communication – extraordinarily effective – you put such a lot into this.
You are enthusiastic, positive and flexible about training.
A warm, welcoming and well organised practice, a credit to all of you.
Training at the practice is accommodated and efficiently supervised.
The supervision of the registrars is well organised.
Training here is seen as a positive thing and you are enthusiastic about it.
The whole team is enthusiastic towards the work of General practice – something not
seen everywhere.
It is a caring place for patients.
It’s a caring place for staff.
We are impressed by the scheduling arrangements here.
It is a great place to be a patient, member of staff or a trainee!
This is a really caring practice and this shows in everything.
Care Quality Commission
From 1st April 2013 the Brookside Group practice is registered with the Care Quality
Commission to provide the following regulated activities:
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Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
Surgical procedures
Maternity and midwifery services
Family planning
Diagnostic and screening procedures.
Our CQC registered manager is Dr Philip Haynes.
You can read our current ICP statement here: ICP statement 2012-13
This is our Satement of Purpose
CQC contact information:
CQC HSCA, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA
Telephone: 03000 616 161
Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
Web: www.cqc.org.uk (www.cqc.org.uk)
Clinics & Services
Clinics & Services
In addition to general medical consultations we are pleased to be able to provide a wide range
of specialist clinics and services:
Our practice nurses provide cervical smears, dressings, immunisations and travel
immunisations, treatment for minor injuries, repeat contraceptive pill prescriptions, health
checks, and advice to minimise your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.
Specialist practice nurses provide ongoing management of asthma, COPD, diabetes, high blood
pressure and coronary heart disease.
Healthcare assistants offer ear syringing, blood tests, suture removal, new patient appointments
and smoking cessation advice. They provide a clinic for blood tests on a Wednesday morning
from 07:00 to 10:30.
Midwives provide antenatal and postnatal care, support and education to those who are pregnant.
Most antenatal clinics are held at the Riverdale Children’s Centre. Contact them on 0118 908
8066 .
District nurses provide nursing care for patients in their own homes and follow-up after
discharge from hospital. They offer teaching and support for carers, including advice on
community care provision. They also provide palliative care and elderly support. Contact them
on 0118 929 9475.
Other services available include:
Family planning - we offer a comprehensive family planning service for pills, injections and
implants, coils, caps and other barrier methods, as well as for emergency contraception. If you
require advice, please make an appointment with our specialist family planning nurse.
Child immunisations - all children need to have completed a course of immunisation by the age
of five.
Travel immunisations - if you are planning to travel abroad, you should check with us three
months before your journey so that we can make sure that you receive any necessary advice and
immunisations in good time. A fee may be charged for some vaccinations and the receptionist
will be able to advise you on this. All immunisations are done by the practice nurse.
Flu vaccinations - receommended for the over 65's and 'at risk' patients. We run flu clinics in the
autumn - please contact us in September each year to book your appointment.
Pneumovax vaccinations - please book an appointment with the practice nurse. There are other
'at risk' groups that need more frequent vaccination. You will be advised about this by your GP.
(To lean more about vaccination schedules, how vaccines are made and how they work follow
the link http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/How-vaccines-work.aspx
(www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/How-vaccines-work.aspx) )
Minor Surgery - we provide a limited number of appointments for minor surgery; access is only
by referral through your GP.
Blood clinic - we hold a walk-in blood clinic at Chalfont surgery every Wednesday morning
(excluding Bank Holidays) between 7am and 10.30am. To have your blood taken you must bring
with you a completed blood test form that will have been given to you by your doctor or nurse.
Please print your name, address and date of birth clearly on this form if not already printed. If
your doctor has asked you to have a fasting blood test you cannot eat or drink anything (except
water) for 12 hours before the blood test.
Smoking cessation - we now have our own 'stop smoking' advisors who are trained and
employed simply to help people find out if they are ready to quit and to help them reach their
goal. If you would like to book an appointment please speak to our Patient Services Team.
Non-NHS Services
Non-NHS Services
Some services provided fall outside the scope of the NHS and therefore attract charges.
Examples include the following:
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Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
Insurance claim forms
Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
Private sick notes
Vaccination certificates
Our reception staff will be happy to advise you about appointment availability and applicable
charges.
Private fees - public notice 2013
Test Results
Test Results
You are welcome to call between 08:00 - 18:30 to enquire about your test results.
You will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results at the time of your test so
please bear this in mind before calling. As a general guide, routine blood tests take five
days whilst X-rays take up to ten days.
It is your responsibility to check the results and make any necessary follow-up appointment with
the doctor.
Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this
respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to unless that person has given prior
permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.
Blood Tests
Blood Tests
A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a
wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood
test can be used to:
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assess your general state of health
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confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning
A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your
arm or in some cases back of the hand where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood
samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child's hand will
be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken. Children's blood
samples are normally taken at the hospital.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the
NHS Choices website.
X-Ray
X-Ray
An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very
effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify
problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.
If you have a X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part
of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.
An X-ray is usually carried out by a radiographer, a healthcare professional who specialises in
using imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound scanners.
You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by
visiting the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk/conditions/x-ray/Pages/Introduction.aspx) .
Registration
New Patient Registration
If you wish to register as a patient with the practice registration takes place between 09:00 12:00 and 14:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday. You will be required to provide the following
documents. If you are unable to provide any of them please speak to a member of our Patient
Services team:
Proof of address
We are only able to register patients whose permanent, main residence is within our boundary.
Please see the map in reception or ask one of our team for details.
We will accept a current (dated within 6 months) tenancy agreement, bank statement, benefit
book, council tax Bill or utility bill.
Approved Identification
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Passport, containing a valid UK residence visa where necessary. Visitor permits are not
valid.
EU national Identity card
Papers from the Home Office
Full British photocard driving licence
UK birth certificate
Please note, if you have been previously registered with the NHS under a different name we will
need to see proof of your change of name (eg marriage certificate or deed poll)
Completed registration forms
Each individual patient needs to complete form GMS1.
New babies need to also have a lilac Brookside registration form
Each family also needs to complete a green Brookside registration form
To assist us in obtaining your previous medical records, please ensure that you complete all
sections of these forms. If you have changed your name or any other details then please let us
know. If you have been out of the country or in the Armed Forces for any period, please note the
dates on the form
If you have a long term condition, to complete your registration, a new patient appointment with
a healthcare assistant must be attended. Please book this at registration.
You may print off a registration form, fill it out and bring it in with you on your first visit to the
practice.
Registration Form
Guide to GP Services
The Royal College of General Practitioners has produced a useful guide for patients about the
services on offer at GP Surgeries and how to access them. You can download the guide below.
A Patient Guide to GP Services (www.rcgp.org.uk/pdf/rcgp_iyp_full_booklet_web_version.pdf)
Change of Details
Changing your details
If you move, or if you change your telephone number, or if you change your name, please inform
us as soon as possible. If you move outside the practice boundary, the Thames Valley Primary
Care Agency (Telephone 0118 918 3333) will be pleased to give you details of surgeries in your
new area.
If you move house within our Practice boundary, you need to let us know your new address.
Please fill in the Change of Address form for you and all members of the household who have
moved with you. You need to do this at the surgery.
If you change your name, you need to let us know so we can amend the records. Please come in
with a document that proves your new name.
Temporary Residents
Temporary Registration
If you are ill while away from home or if you are not registered with a doctor but need to see one
you can receive emergency treatment from the local GP practice for 14 days. After 14 days you
will need to register as a temporary or permanent patient.
You can be registered as a temporary patient for up to three months. This will allow you to be on
the local practice list and still remain a patient of your permanent GP. After three months you
will have to re-register as a temporary patient or permanently register with that practice.
To register as a temporary patient simply contact the local practice you wish to use. Practices do
not have to accept you as a temporary patient although they do have an obligation to offer
emergency treatment. You cannot register as a temporary patient at a practice in the town or area
where you are already registered.
Download the Temporary Resident Registration Form
Care Data
Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by healthcare staff
to support your treatment and care.
It is important that we, the NHS, can use this information to plan and improve services for all
patients. We would like to link information from all the different places where you receive care,
such as your GP, hospital and community service, to help us provide a full picture. This will
allow us to compare the care you received in one area against the care you received in another,
so we can see what has worked best.
Information such as your postcode and NHS number, but not your name, will be used to link
your records in a secure system, so your identity is protected. Information which does not reveal
your identity can then be used by others, such as researchers and those planning health services,
to make sure we provide the best care possible for everyone.
You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way you do not have
to do anything. If you have any concerns or wish to prevent this from happening, please speak to
practice staff or download a copy of the leaflet “How information about you helps us to provide
better care”. below
We need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have.
How information about you helps us to provide better care
Care Data - Frequently Asked Questions
If you would like to opt out click here to download the form and bring it in to the surgery
Download the opt out form
You can find out more on the NHS England Care Data website
(www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/tsd/care-data/)
Be Clear on Cancer
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/spotcancerearly/naedi/beclearoncancer/beclearoncancer
(info.cancerresearchuk.org/spotcancerearly/naedi/beclearoncancer/beclearoncancer)
The Be Clear on Cancer brand was developed by the Department of Health and has been in use
since January 2011 to promote awareness and early diagnosis of cancer locally, regionally and
nationally.
Materials Access the available materials for all the Be Clear on Cancer campaigns
(info.cancerresearchuk.org/spotcancerearly/naedi/beclearoncancer/materials/index.htm)
Be Clear on Cancer is a Department of Health awareness campaign. This page contains links to documents that we
hope you find useful. Please note however that the views or opinions expressed within those links are not necessarily
those of Cancer Research UK.
Patient decision aids
Patient Decision Aids
Patient Decision Aids (PDAs) are there to help patients make difficult decisions about their
treatments and medical tests.
http://sdm.rightcare.nhs.uk/pda/ (sdm.rightcare.nhs.uk/pda/)
This website guides patients through these treatments and allows them to consider all possible
outcomes of that course of action. These can be very useful for helping patients to decide
whether or not they wish to have that surgery/ treatment.
You can view online decision aids for various treatments and procedures including:
- hip and knee arthritis
- PSA testing
- BPH treatment
- prostate cancer treatment
- cataract surgery
- breast cancer treatment
- amniocentesis and CVS
Enhanced recovery programme
Enhanced Recovery Programme Following Surgery (Royal Berkshire Hospital)
The Enhanced Recovery Programme has been in place since 2010 and aims to return patients to
normal fitness as quickly as possible after the following surgery:
· Primary Hip or Knee replacement
· Colorectal surgery
· Hysterectomy
· Cystectomy
· Nephrectomy
· Prostatectomy
The programme involves active patient preparation for surgery and participation in post
operative recovery; until now, information has been given to patients at the time that they attend
clinic and there is also an information leaflet available for information and awareness prior to
coming in.
The Information Leaflet may be found here
(royalberkshirenhstrust.newsweaver.co.uk/zor3pixondp1926knvj6pv?email=true&a=5&p=3070
6595&t=17629864) .
Practice Policies
Click here to view Patient and practice Partnership Charter
Confidentiality & Medical Records
The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable
information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:
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To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital
services.
To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your
consent.
When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient
information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and
Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.
If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us
know.
Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their
jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.
Freedom of Information
Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act
can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the
practice manager. Brookside Group Practice FOI publication scheme
Staff confidentiality
All practice staff with no exceptions are contractually bound by strict confidentiality agreement.
All information obtained at or from the practice is confidential. This includes information
obtained visually, verbally, on paper or via computer. No practice information including patient
data shall be removed from the premises unless authorised by system administrator. No details of
any information found on the computer network, as paper record, or obtained verbally at BGP,
may be given to anyone except practice employees, and non-employees who have authorised
access to the information and have signed the Confidentiality agreement, providing that the
information is essential for them to do the work expected of them by BGP. The fact that a patient
has visited the practice is confidential and must not be disclosed to anyone outside of the
practice.
Access to Records
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients
may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice
manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released
without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.
Consent
Everyone aged 16 or more is presumed to be competent to give consent for themselves, unless
the opposite is demontrated. Young people aged 16 and 17, and legally "competent" younger
children, may therefore sign a Consent Form for themselves, but may like a parent to countersign
as well. For children under 16, someone with parental responsibility should give consent on the
child's behalsf by signing accordingly on the Consent Form.
Complaints
We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice. If
you would like to let us know your compliments/comments, please use this form:
How to let us know what you think
However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a
genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly,
and as amicably, as possible.
To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns
appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from
reception.
Violence Policy
The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has
the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard
practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened
physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we
will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical
records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.
Young People's Services
NHS Berkshire has recently launched a new health information website for young people
living in Reading, Wokingham or West Berkshire: www.getjuicy.co.uk (www.getjuicy.co.uk) .
The website aims to provide young people living in Berkshire West with quick and easy access
to health advice and information and local health services including providing information on
where a young person's nearest Juice Point is.The website aims to help young people find out
more about safe sex, friendships, smoking, drugs, body image, stress, alcohol, bullying,
relationships, staying safe and looking after thier mental and emotional well being.
Time To Talk Reading is a free confidential counselling service available to all young people in
Reading aged 13-19, up to 25years for young people with additional needs. Visit
www.timetotalkreading.org.uk (www.timetotalkreading.org.uk) or telephone 0118 903 5151 to
speak to a member of team.
For more information and links to useful resourses click on Family Health tab.
ARC Information and Counselling Service is a free and confidential counselling service
supporting children, young people and adults when they are struggling to cope with a life
changing situation or emotional problem. Opening times are Mon - Fri 10 am - 10 pm, Sat 10 am
- 1 pm. To contact the service visit www.arcweb.org.uk (www.arcweb.org.uk) , email
coordinator@arcweb.org.uk or ring the Client Line on 0118 977 6710.
Useful websites
For general information and self help - http://www.patient.co.uk/ (www.patient.co.uk/) and
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/)
For particular diseases:
http://www.arc.org.uk/ (www.arc.org.uk/) ARTHRITIS
http://www.asthma.org.uk/ (www.asthma.org.uk/) ASTHMA
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/ (www.cancerbackup.org.uk/) CANCER
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/ (www.diabetes.org.uk/) DIABETES
http://www.bhf.org.uk/ (www.bhf.org.uk/) HEART DISEASE
http://www.dermnet.org.nz/ (www.dermnet.org.nz/) SKIN PROBLEMS
STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION:
http://www.livinglifetothefull.com (www.livinglifetothefull.com)
http://www.talkingtherapies.berkshire.nhs.uk/ (www.talkingtherapies.berkshire.nhs.uk/)
https://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/ Learn cognitive behaviour therapy skills
for preventing and coping with depression
www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/03/22091556/10
(www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/03/22091556/10)
www.cllsupport.org.uk (www.cllsupport.org.uk) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CCL)
Support Association
Local information:
WokinghamCCG.nhs.uk (wokinghamccg.nhs.uk/) Wokingham clinical commissioning group
http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/) Royal Berkshire Hospital
http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/ (www.ageconcern.org.uk/) for excellent local resources for the
elderly
Information for parents
New NHS information service for parents has been extended.
The new NHS Information Service for Parents got off to an excellent start with over
65,000 parents signed up to the service by October 2012.
From May 2012, parents-to-be and new parents who sign up have been receiving
regular emails, videos and texts, about pregnancy, the first few weeks of their baby's life
and beyond. Now the service is extended to cover children up to six months old.
The service provides information covering a wide range of issues for parents including
how a baby develops, finding antenatal preparation, improving their own health,
breastfeeding, immunisations, where to get help and advice and much more. There are
also over 100 short videos featuring experts giving advice, and real parents sharing tips.
Parents can sign up online to receive emails or text messages at
https://www.nhs.uk/InformationServiceForParents/pages/home.aspx
Staff Details
Doctors
Dr Rachel Weeks MB ChB, MRCGP, DCCH, DRCOG (Edinburgh; registered
1984) (Senior partner)
Dr Peter Marshall MB BS, MRCGP (London; registered 1980)(Partner)
Dr Stephen
Madgwick
MB ChB, (Cape Town; registered 1981) (Partner)
Dr Philip Haynes MB BS (London; registered 1984)(Partner)
Dr Matthew
Shaw
MB ChB, MRCGP (Bristol; registered 1987)(Partner)
Dr Rosalind
Hislop
BSc (Hons), MB ChB (Manchester; registered 1984)(Partner)
Dr A Cleve
Chevassut
MB BS, LRCP, MRCS, MRCGP, DRCOG, DCH, DTM&H
(London; registered 1979)(Partner)
Dr Bernard Choi
MB BS, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG (London; registered 1991)
(Partner)
Dr Xavier Quli
BMedSci (Hons), MBChB, DRCOG, DFFP, DCH, MRCGP
(Sheffield; registered 1996) (Partner)
Dr Rachel Monk
MB ChB, MRCGP (Sheffield; registered 1997) (Partner)
Dr Gabriele
Gutmann
State Exam Med Dr Med MCQ MRCGP (Erlangen-Nuremberg;
registered 1999)(Partner)
Dr Neil Bidston
BSc MBBCh DRCOG MRCGP (Cardiff; registered 2000)
(Partner)
Dr Margaret
Tulley
MB BS, MRCGP, DRCOG, DCH (London; registered 1983)
Dr Karen Hicklin BM BCh, MA, MRCGP, DRCOG (Oxford; registered 1985)
Dr Rachel
Aldridge
MB ChB, DCH, DRCOG (Leicester; registered 1996)
Dr Sarah King
MB ChB, MRCGP, DRCOG, DCH (Bristol; registered 1986)
Dr Claire Bannon BM MRCGP DRCOG (Southampton; registered 2004)
Dr Jenny Boctor
BM BCh MRCGP DRCOG (Oxford; registered 2006)
Dr Elizabeth
Lewis
BM BCh MA MRCGP DRCOG (Oxford, registered 2008)
Dr Jo Ann
Peskett
BMBCH Oxon, MRCGP, DRCOG
Dr Alex Cran
BM / BSc
Nurses
Jill Hodgson RGN, ENB 199, ENB 998, Diploma in Professional Studies: Nursing,
Diploma in Asthma care (Practice Nurse Team Leader)
Fiona
Rowlandson
RGN, ENB 998, ENB 100, Certificate in Diabetes Care, Nurse
Prescriber, (Practice Nurse Team Leader)
Linda Bagg
RGN, BA(Hons) Sociology
Rachel
Murtagh
RGN, Diploma in HE Adult Nursing, Diploma in Asthma care
Marion
Mortimer
RGN, ENB 901, 998
Rosie
Crowhurst
RGN, ENB R71 Contraception and Reproductive Sexual health Care,
Certificate in Diabetes Care
Karen Ellaby BSC Adult Nursing, Urgent Care Nurse, Nurse Prescriber
Katie Sutton
Urgent Care Nurse
Practice nurses are qualified and registered nurses. They can help with
health issues such as family planning, healthy living advice, blood
pressure checks and dressings. The practice nurses run clinics for
long-term health conditions such as asthma or diabetes, carry out
cervical smears and provide urgent on the day care.
Healthcare Assistants
Healthcare assistants support practice nurses with their daily work and carry out
tasks such as phlebotomy (drawing blood), blood pressure measurement and new
patient checks. They may act as a chaperone when a patient or doctor requests one.
Lucinda Winstanley HCA, Smoking Cessation Advisor
Heidi Simkin HCA
Phlebotomists
Angela Tappin, Jenny Toland
Practice Management
Sarah Rutland General Manager (Operations)
Mike Parting General Manager (Business)
Julie Maughan (Patient Services manager)
Fiona Nairn (Support manager)
Ira Ward (Communication manager)
Rachel Clare (IT & Facilities manager)
Michele Jennings (Administration manager)
Anna Tower (Scheduling manager)
The practice manager is involved in managing all of the business aspects of the
practice such as making sure that the right systems are in place to provide a high
quality of patient care, human resources, finance, patient safety, premises and
equipment and information technology. The practice manager supports the GPs and
other medical professionals with delivering patient services and also helps to
develop extended services to enhance patient care.
Administration
Michele Jennings (Administration manager)
June Stannard
Fiona Lawrence
Beverley Cleveland
Carol Wiggins
Jo Salmon (Team Leader Finance)
Reception
Julie Maughan (Patient Services Manager)
Debbie Cowen (Team Leader)
Jacqui Clouston (Team Leader)
Keith Waite (Team Leader)
Anna Tower (Team Leader)
Alex Black
Allie Taylor
Annette Noades
Claire Dibley
Claire Holton
Jakie Cantle
Jane Chattin
Janet Turtle
Janice Waters
Kathy Lamb
Katie Hepden
Lisa Whitlam
Margaret Thomas
Nicola Henley
Peggy Barley
Ruth Talbot
Sarah Adams
Sheila Bradbury
Sophia Browne
Sue Hanton
Victoria Sherwood
Patient Services Team provides an important link for patients with the practice and
is your initial contact point for general enquiries. Patient Services Team members
can provide basic information on services and results and direct you to the right
person depending on your health issue or query. They make most of the patient
appointments with the GPs and nurses. They also perform other important tasks
such as issuing repeat prescriptions and dealing with prescription enquiries, raising
invoices, dealing with patient records and providing cover for our call centre.
Secretaries
Lorraine Peters (Senior Secretary)
Angela Tappin
Jenny Toland
Cynthia Greener
Community Midwives
Tracy Oliver RM
Amanda Leeks RM
Community Nurses
Lesley Hyatt RGN, District Nursing Certificate, nurse Prescriber, Community
Nursing Tutor
Carol Moloney RGN, District Nursing Certificate, HV Certificate, Community
Staff Nurse
Deborah Collins - Community Staff Nurse
Emma Shurben RGN, B.Sc. in Adult Nursing, Community Staff Nurse
Julie Healy RGN, BA (Hons), Specialist Practioner in District Nursing, nurse
Prescriber – Diabetes
Jackie Tetley RGN, Dip.HE - Adult Nursing
Julie Jones RGN, Dip. HE - Adult Nursing, Community Staff Nurse
Karen Rogers NVQ 2 & 3, TVU Workbooks in Neurological Disorders and
Diabetes
Kerry James RGN, Dip. HE - Adult Nursing, Community Staff Nurse
Health Visitors
A health visitor is a registered nurse who has received training particularly related
to babies, children and pregnant women. Their role is to provide families with
children under five years old with support and advice around the general aspects of
mental, physical and social wellbeing.