THE SELE MEDICAL PRACTICE
Hexham Primary Care Centre
Corbridge Road
Hexham
Northumberland
NE46 1QJ
PRACTICE INFORMATION
Dr. Janet S. Gold
Dr. Matthew C. Walker
Dr. Benjamin S.M. Frankel
Dr. Thomas W. Schatzberger
TELEPHONE (01434) 602237
PRESCRIPTION LINE (01434) 607000
FAX (01434) 613063
www.selemedicalpractice.gpsurgery.net
Jan 2011
INTRODUCTION
We are a small, friendly family practice offering a wide range of modern
medical and nursing services which are described in this booklet. Although
we strongly believe in a team approach to health care, our aim is that all
patients should feel that medical advice and care is always personal and
accessible.
The Practice is a long established partnership.
PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY
To be an effective and efficient family practice working as a well trained,
highly motivated team, maintaining and constantly reviewing the provision
of care, for the benefit of our patients’ health and quality of life.
NEW AND PROSPECTIVE PATIENTS
We accept patients moving newly into the practice area. Registration
involves the completion of a form and our transmitting the information from
the form via computer link to the relevant Trust.
All new patients are expected to see a nurse or doctor soon after
registration for a health check. This enables us to assess what care or
advice you may require and ensures that the doctor has all your relevant
health information to hand. Even if you feel perfectly well, we feel it is
important that you take this opportunity to have a check. It is essential that
you make an appointment at the earliest opportunity if you need repeat
medication.
If you are considering registering as a patient and would like further
information, we would be pleased to arrange an interview with one of our
doctors.
WEBSITE
We have a website which provides much of the information available in this
leaflet. It can be found at www.selemedicalpractice.gpsurgery.net.
Routine repeat prescriptions may be ordered via the website. Please see
the section labelled ‘other services’.
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MAKING CONTACT
SURGERY OPENING TIMES
The surgery is staffed continuously from 8.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on
weekdays. However, Thursdays from 12 noon to 6.30 pm is for
emergencies only. We open earlier from 7.30 am and later to 8.30 pm on
some days as advertised.
Consultations generally take place at the following times:
8.00 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. Monday to Friday
1.00 p.m.—3.30 p.m. Surgeries vary daily between these hours
4.00 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
7.30 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays
(routine pre booked appointments only)
6.30 p.m. to 8.00 pm Tuesday (routine pre booked appointments only.
A doctor is always on call for emergencies during the day and when the
surgery is closed. Please telephone the main number, 01434 602237 to
find out how to access the emergency doctor.
An appointment should be made for each member of the family requiring a
consultation.
Always notify the receptionist of your arrival at the surgery or use the
touchscreen check-in opposite the reception desk to ensure that the doctor
or nurse knows that you are waiting. If you need to cancel an appointment,
please telephone to cancel in good time so that the appointment can be
offered to someone else.
Consultations are by appointment only. Appointments are normally for 10
minutes but, if you feel your problem may take longer, a longer appointment
can be arranged. Annual diabetic reviews, heart reviews, medicals and
minor surgery require longer appointments, so please let the receptionist
know if this is why you are attending. We often ring patients to remind
them about longer appointments. If you do not wish to be contacted about
a longer appointment, please let us know and we will mark that
appointment accordingly.
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Appointment times may be varied in the future in response to changing
requirements. Details may be found in reception from time to time.
48 HOUR ACCESS
The Practice ensures that appointments are always available to patients
within a 48 hour time period. However, patients should be aware that it
may not be possible to see the doctor of their choice in this timeframe.
Patients should also be aware that our female GPs work part time and
there may be occasions when there is no female GP available.
TELEPHONE CALLS
You may book a telephone call with a doctor or nurse. These are available
every day after morning surgery. You may have to book ahead to speak to
the doctor of your choice. The doctor or nurse will telephone you when
they are finished seeing patients on a face to face basis.
EMERGENCIES
During the day, a doctor is always available for emergencies using the
usual telephone number. If you think your problem is urgent, the
receptionist will be able to offer you an appointment the same day, or
suggest that you speak to a doctor or practice nurse. You may consider
dialling 999 for an ambulance if your problem relates to chest pain or
shortness of breath.
If the surgery is fully booked, you may have to wait for a vacancy later in
the day and it may not be possible to see the doctor of your choice.
For less urgent, routine problems, it is essential that you make an
appointment. This will enable you to see a doctor or nurse of your choice
at a time most convenient to you.
If you think your problem can be dealt with over the telephone, a doctor or
nurse will be happy to give you advice. If you wish to speak to a doctor or
nurse, please ask for a telephone consultation, which are bookable at the
end of each morning surgery.
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HOME VISITS
We invest a great deal of time, effort and money in providing excellent
facilities at the surgery for assessment and treatment where there is access
to several members of our team. We expect you to attend the surgery for
both routine and more urgent treatment. We cannot offer you these
facilities at home and therefore home visits are restricted to patients who
are genuinely medically incapable of travelling to the surgery.
If you require a home visit during normal Monday to Friday surgery hours,
please telephone before 10.00 a.m. if at all possible. This will enable the
doctors to plan their rounds.
OUT OF HOURS
From 6.30 p.m. until 08.00 a.m. and at weekends and on bank holidays,
telephone 0300 1234343 if you have a problem which cannot wait until the
surgery re-opens.
Your personal details, together with details of your problem will then be
taken by a trained message handler who will pass on any symptom based
problem to an NHS Direct Nurse.
Responsibility for providing medical services when the practice is closed
lies with Northumberland Care Trust. Northern Doctors Urgent Care
currently provides the out of hours service.
Telephone Northern Doctors Urgent Care on 0300 1234343 or 0845 60 80
320. These numbers are also given on the practice answer phone.
NHS Direct is available for telephone advice on 0845 46 47
The nearest walk-in centre is at the Hexham Emergency Care Centre or,
alternatively, at Newcastle General Hospital, Westgate Road.
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WHO’S WHO IN THE SURGERY
Partners
Dr JANET S GOLD
MB, BS (Newcastle 1987) MRCGP, DCCH, DRCOG
DR MATTHEW C WALKER
MB, ChB (Leeds, 1989) MRCGP DRCOG
DR BENJAMIN S M FRANKEL
MB,BS (Newcastle 2000) MRCGP,
DR THOMAS W SCHATZBERGER
MB,BS (Newcastle, 1999) MRCGP
DR NIAMH TELFORD – Salaried GP
MB BCh, BAO (Dublin) MRCGP, DFSRH
We work in a partnership and you may consult any of the above doctors.
However, we strongly recommend that you try, as far as possible, to see
the same doctor for the duration of any particular illness.
Assistant Doctors
In addition to this, the practice also employs an assistant doctor who has
completed the full training for General Practice but, usually due to family
commitments, wishes to work for only two surgeries per week on the
Retainer Scheme. The post is currently filled by Dr Telford.
The Sele Medical Practice is a training practice. We have two
trainers, Dr Gold and Dr Walker. It is an important role for the future
provision of doctors in General Practice and hospital consultants.
We have two types of doctors attached to the practice. The first is
called a Foundation Scheme doctor or F2. These doctors are fully
qualified, and work in the practice to gain some experience working
as a GP. They have career aspirations to be a GP or a hospital
consultant. They come to the practice for 4 months at a time, the
other 8 months spent in hospitals.
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The second is a GP Registrar. They also are fully qualified doctors
who undertake 3 years training to become a GP. Registrars spend
18 months in hospital rotations, one year in full time general practice
and six months half-time between general practice and a specialty
such as pediatrics.
Registrars and Foundation doctors are an invaluable source of
specialist knowledge, helping to keep us informed of new
developments in hospital medicine and in return we develop their
skills and in the increasingly complex specialty of general practice.
Practice Nurses
Margaret Burridge RGN
Julie Smith RGN
Anne Horrocks RGN
Our practice nurses offer a wide range of expertise in nursing and
management of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes.
Where your medical condition is well controlled, the doctor may ask you to
see the practice nurse for further follow up. They will refer you back to the
doctor when necessary.
Our practice nurses are available to see patients five days a week (except
Thursday afternoon) for routine surgery appointments.
Administrative Staff
MRS ANNE BROOKS, Business Manager
Our business manager deals with the day to day management of the
practice. She is ably supported by MRS LIZ KIRKBRIDE, MRS SHEILA
DANCE, and MRS IRENE NESS.
Mrs VAL HOOKER is our medical secretary. She is responsible for dealing
with hospital referral letters and appointments and will be happy to respond
to your queries.
MRS DEBORAH SIM, works as phlebotomist and Medicines Manager
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MRS BERYL STEEL, Senior Receptionist
Our Senior Receptionist has primary responsibility for the day to day
running of the appointments and repeat prescriptions systems and the
management of reception. She will be pleased to help with any queries
about administration and non-medical aspects of your health or treatment.
The other members of our reception team are:
MRS STEPHANIE STEWART
MRS HELEN BRADLEY
MRS TERESA TOMLINSON
MRS MAUREEN STEAD
MRS MAGGIE PAINE
MISS CARLY NICHOL
The reception staff will usually be your first and most frequent point of
contact with the practice. They make appointments and take requests for
home visits and repeat prescriptions. In order to ensure that urgent
requests for advice are dealt with appropriately, the receptionists need to
ask for specific information relating to your problem.
There are times when reception will be extremely busy and you may have
to wait to be dealt with. The receptionist will help you as quickly and as
courteously as they can. Please help them to help you by being patient
and by giving them sufficient information to prioritise urgent appointments.
Community Nurses – contact via 01434 613013
Community Matron
District Nursing Sister
Community Staff Nurse
Community Staff Nurse
Community Staff Nurse
Community Staff Nurse
Community Staff Nurse
Nursing Auxiliary
Sr. Irene Hall
Sr. Angela Scott
Linda Handcock
Joy Ryall
Sarah Winspear
Kirsten Telfer
Suzanne Little
Yvonne Batey
The community or district nurses generally care for those who are unable to
attend the surgery for nursing treatment. The nursing care given by the
community nurses allows people to stay in their own homes who might
otherwise need to go into hospital. They also provide care in the surgery.
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Community Psychiatric Nurse
Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPN), based at the Fairnington Centre at
Hexham General Hospital, offer counselling and support for people with
mental health problems. They have close links with Clinical Psychologists,
Psychiatrists and Occupational Therapists. Referrals are normally made by
Doctors or Nurses. Gary Mayhew is our CPN, offering appointments at the
Primary Care Centre.
Counsellor
Gail Young works at the practice two sessions per week. Referrals are
made by Doctors or nurses.
Health Visitors DIRECT CONTACT NUMBER 01434 613022
The health visitors’ primary tasks are to promote health and prevent illness
in our community. This involves working with the under fives, expectant
mothers, the elderly and disabled.
Ann Potter
Sue Wilson
Karen Goodchild
They are aided by the nursery nurses:
Libby Fieldhouse
Nuala Mason
Midwife
Our community midwife, Pauline Harrison, is involved in the care of
expectant mothers, new-born babies and their mothers. She holds clinics
in the surgery and also visits mothers in their own homes for at least the
first ten days after they have had their baby.
The contact number for Northumberland Care Trust for podiatry and other
services is 01434 613013
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CHAPERONES
You may request a chaperone at any time during a consultation. A doctor
or nurse may offer you a chaperone if they feel it appropriate. If a
chaperone is not available, you may have to make another appointment.
REPEAT PRESCRIBING
If you are on long term medication, we have a computerised system which
allows you to obtain a number of repeats without seeing your doctor. After
an interval agreed with your doctor, you will be asked to make an
appointment for a check up. The purpose will be to monitor your condition
and to ensure that you are taking the most effective treatment and to check
that your current dosage is still the most appropriate.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ATTEND FOR THESE REGULAR
MEDICATION REVIEWS AS REQUESTED BY YOUR DOCTOR OR YOU
MAY FIND US UNABLE TO ISSUE MORE MEDICATION
Please note that, in accordance with national guidelines, the practice
usually prescribes a 28 day supply of any drug.
OBTAINING A REPEAT PRESCRIPTION
Requests for repeat prescriptions should be made at least two working
days before the medication is required. This allows us time to prepare,
check and sign the prescription. Telephone requests should be made on
the dedicated prescription line on 607000 between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00
p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m.
Thursday. Alternatively you may:
Either:
Hand in your computer slip at reception, indicating clearly which
drug you require and which chemist the prescription is to be
collected from
Or
place your prescription counterfoil in the metal post box outside
the primary care centre. The box is marked with The Sele
Medical Practice’s name and is to the right of the main entrance
as you approach.
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Or
Send your computer slip by post, enclosing a stamped, self
addressed envelope if you require your prescription to be
returned to you.
Or
Order your prescription online via our website. Please include
the details of where you would like to collect the prescription
from in the other information section at the bottom of the page.
These requests are collected periodically throughout the day
but patients must ensure that they give 48 hours notice.
SPECIAL CARE AND CLINICS
Antenatal care
Care is usually shared between the hospital, midwife and doctor. Patients
are usually seen initially by the midwife in her own Booking and Antenatal
clinics held on Wednesdays.
Family Planning
The doctors are fully trained to provide a full range of contraceptive
services, including the fitting of intra-uterine devices, emergency
contraception free of charge. Condoms may also be obtained from doctors,
nurses, health visitors or from reception. Appointments for these services
may be made in normal surgery.
The practice nurses, health visitors and midwife are available to give more
general contraceptive advice.
Asthma
The majority of asthmatic patients are reviewed by our specially trained
practice nurses during normal surgery. If you are an asthmatic, it is
important that you are reviewed regularly to ensure that you are not
suffering symptoms which require treatment and that your treatment is still
the best available.
Continence Clinic
Nurse led continence clinic held on Thursday afternoons. Please contact
Sr Irene Hall on 07771663429 or Sr Angela Scott on 07919592324 for an
appointment.
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Diabetes
We work closely with the local hospitals to provide a shared care plan of
follow up for diabetes. If you are diabetic, it is very important that your
diabetes is closely monitored at the practice or in the hospital outpatients
department in order to prevent any complications.
If you receive your diabetic care at the surgery, you will normally see a
specially trained nurse twice yearly and be checked at least annually by
one of the doctors and you will be offered a consultation with a dietician
and a chiropodist. In addition, as part of our diabetic screening
programme, you will be offered an appointment to have an annual
photograph of your eyes taken at the surgery.
Vascular Reviews
A 20 minute appointment is required annually for those with heart problems
or high blood pressure.
Cervical Smears
The practice nurses carry out the majority of cervical cytology screening
(smears) during normal surgery hours. You are advised to have a smear
once every three years, from age 25 until age 49, then every 5 years until
the age of 65, unless otherwise indicated.
Minor Surgery
The practice is able to offer a wide range of surgical procedures. If you
require a minor operation which can be carried out in the surgery, you will
be advised by your doctor who will explain how to arrange a minor surgery
appointment.
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Childhood immunisations
The recommended vaccination schedule is show below:
2 months
1st dose diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, HiB and
pneumococcal
3 months
2nd dose diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, HiB
and meningitis C
4 months
3rd dose diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, HiB ,
meningitis C and pneumococcal
12 to 13 months Combined HIB & Meningitis C vaccine and MMR
(measles, mumps and rubella) and pneumococcal
3+ years
booster – diphtheria, tetanus, polio, acellular pertussis,
HiB and MMR
15-18 years
booster diphtheria tetanus and polio
IMMUNISATIONS AND TRAVEL IMMUNISATIONS
All patients are advised to ensure that their immunisations are up to date. If
you are in any doubt, please ask.
In addition to routine immunisations, the practice offers a comprehensive
travel immunisation and advice service. To access this service, please
let the practice nurse know your travel details as soon as possible before
the date of travel by completing a travel schedule available from reception
to enable a travel health schedule to be planned for you. In general, we
require a minimum of six weeks notice to ensure the completion of
courses of travel vaccinations. The practice nurse can discuss the
vaccination schedule with you and advise of any associated costs.
The Sele Medical Practice is a designated Yellow Fever Centre. This
means we can give Yellow Fever vaccinations to people who are not
registered with us.
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CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION
Your doctors, their staff and everyone else working for the NHS have a
legal duty to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality about patient
information. In some instances, you may be receiving care from other
people as well as the NHS. We may need to share some information about
you with them, so that we can all work together for your benefit. Anyone
who receives confidential information about you is also under a legal duty
of confidence. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example,
when the health or safety of others is at risk, we will not disclose your
information to third parties without your permission. We will only give your
relatives, friends and carers information if you want us to. In certain
circumstances we are required by law to report information to the
appropriate authorities. This information is only provided after formal
authority has been given by a qualified health professional. For example:
 notification of new births
 where we encounter infectious diseases which may endanger the
safety of others (e.g. meningitis or measles, but not HIV/AIDS)
 where a formal court order has been issued
However, our guiding principle is that we hold your records in strict
confidence, in perpetuity.
ACCESS TO YOUR RECORDS
The practice is registered under and complies with the Data Protection Act
1998. This act is designed to ensure that information we have on you
whether held as paper records or on a computer is obtained fairly, kept up
to date and is stored securely. Any request for access to notes by a
patient, patient’s representative or outside body will be dealt with in
accordance with the Act. We have to obtain consent to allow access to
records. The consent we need varies according to the access required.
Under certain circumstances information may be withheld by your GP. This
could be because disclosure may cause you serious mental or physical
harm. Please contact the Business Manager for further information. There
is a charge for access of £10.00 or up to £50.00 if photocopies are
required.
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We get requests from third parties who are not involved with your health
care for information about your health. One example of this is insurance
companies when you are considering a new policy. The amount of
information they require varies and you must make sure you understand
exactly what they have asked to see. You have the right to choose
whether you allow this access or not, but we will never disclose any
information without your written consent. You also have the right to view
the report we intend to send if you wish. Once we have received consent
and prepared the report we will contact you and then you have 21 days to
view the documents before dispatch. If you choose not to view the report
at the time you have 6 months after it has been sent to change your mind
and see the documents. Your GP has the right to withhold information if he
feels disclosure would seriously cause mental or physical harm or that the
identity or information about another person could be revealed. For further
information contact the Business manager, Anne Brooks.
We are constantly striving to improve our service to patients and frequently
undertake audits and reviews to evaluate our care and identify any areas
for improvement or change. We need to use patient data for these audits
and where possible use anonymous information. If patient identifiable data
is required it is used on a need to know basis only even within the practice.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
In accordance with the above Act, the practice has a publication scheme
which is available to view on our website or in hard copy from the Business
Manager.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
The practice may occasionally take part in research projects supported by
on of the local or national Research Networks. Any such project will have
full Ethics Committee approval.
We will never divulge your personal nor health details to any third party
without your consent and will approach patients directly to seek consent to
participate, often asking patients to contact those carrying out studies
directly.
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PRIVATE MEDICAL SERVICES
There is some work which the doctors are not contracted by the NHS to
carry out and for this a charge will usually be made. This includes
BUPA/PPP forms, medical certificates, signing of passport applications and
various special examinations for employment, school or sport. A full list is
displayed at reception, together with current prices which are based on
national guidelines.
IF YOU MOVE HOUSE
If you move house, please let us know your new address and telephone
number. If it is outside the practice area, we will normally, regretfully have
to ask you to change to a practice nearer your new home. If you are in any
doubt whether your new address is within our practice area, please ask to
speak to a Partner. (In exceptional cases, we may allow patients to remain
on the practice list if on the fringe of the area).
VIOLENT OR ABUSIVE PATIENTS
The practice operates a zero tolerance approach to violent or abusive
patients.
Our staff are here to help and try their best to do so at all times. We
appreciate that patients may be anxious or unwell and allowances are
always made for this.
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION
The practice premises, including the car park, are monitored by closed
circuit television.
PRACTICE BASED COMMISSIONING
The Practice is part of the West Northumberland Practice Based
Commissioning Group which monitors, evaluates and redesigns care
pathways for the patients of Tynedale.
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CAR PARKING
Car parking is available on the site of the Primary Care Centre.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust owns and manages the car park and
levies the current charge of 80p per hour. Disabled badge holders (blue
badges) are allowed to park in the designated bays free of charge provided
their blue badge is displayed.
Patients calling in to the Practice to drop off repeat prescriptions, samples
or to collect prescriptions etc may use the pick up/drop off bay in front of
the main doors.
TELEPHONE RECORDING
Calls to and from the surgery may be voice recorded for training,
monitoring and quality purposes.
NO SMOKING
The practice operates a no smoking policy throughout the premises,
including the garden area and car park
PATIENTS COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS
We do our best to ensure that the service we provide is appropriate to the
nature and urgency of your problem and your circumstances. We also aim
for high quality service. However, there may be occasions when you may
feel that we have failed to meet your expectations. If this is the case, then
we would welcome your comments to enable us to improve our service to
you. We offer a practice complaints procedure to deal with comments,
suggestions and complaints about the service we provide. Our Business
Manager is able to give further advice.
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU.
Revised Jan 2011
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