WELCOME TO
DOUGLAS GROVE SURGERY
DOUGLAS GROVE
WITHAM
CM8 1TE
DOCTORS - The surgery is a partnership practice with 3 GP’s.
Dr N O Parry-Jones MB BChir MRCP DRCOG
Practising in Witham since April 1996
Dr F Salau MBBS MRCP UK
Dr A Asghar MBBS MRCGP DFFP
THE PRACTICE TEAM
Practice Manager - Toni Wyatt
Our practice manager is available if you wish to discuss any issues or concerns you may have regarding
the practice, its way of working or any care problems. The practice has a complaints procedure which is
available to any patient on request. Alternatively a form is on the notice board in our waiting room.
Patients have rights and responsibilities for their own health, as this document will explain. We also have
the Douglas Grove Patient Charter and this is available on request. The practice complies with current
legislation allowing patient’s access to his / her medicalrecords. Please ask for further information.
Nurse Practitioner
- Fenella Miller
RGN, RM, BSc (Hons), NP
Practice Nurses
- Gillian Davis
SRN, Diploma in diabetes
- Suzanne Pearce RGN,RM Diploma in Asthma and COPD
- Stacey Gardiner RN & DipHE (Adult) Nursing
Our nurses are available for dressings, suture removals, contraception and cervical smears, vaccinations,
health checks, general health advice, diabetes, hypertension and asthma reviews, preventing coronary
heart disease and strokes. Please make an appointment with the receptionist if you wish to see any of our
nurses.
Heath Care Assistant - Sam Pilkington – NVQ level 3 Healthcare In General Practice.
Our Healthcare Assistant is available for ear care, stop smoking support, phlebotomy, ECG, INR, certain
vaccinations and general health advice.
COMMUNITY HEALTH TEAM
Health Visitors
The health visitors hold child health clinics at Witham Health Centre. They also visit mums at home after
new births, or will see any family member who would like to see them. They also spend time with the
elderly and bereaved.
Midwife
The midwife holds an antenatal clinic here and antenatal care is shared between her, the GP’s and the
hospital obstetric team. The midwife visits mother and baby at home following discharge from the
hospital.
Dietician
The Witham Health Centre dietician can advise patients on dietary issues. The doctors or the practice
nurse will refer you to her when appropriate.
District Nurses
The district nurses will visit at home when a patient is housebound and needs nursing care.
Community Physiotherapy
This is available if recommended by your doctor, and in certain cases physiotherapy may be in the
patient’s home.
Macmillan Nurse
Based at the Farleigh Hospice, the Macmillan nurses will visit the very ill at home and liaise with the
GP’s and the district nurses.
We also offer the following clinics:
Chiropractor, pain clinic and ultrasound.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE MADE ONLY BY GP REFERRAL.
DOUGLAS GROVE SURGERY INFECTION CONTROL MISSION STATEMENT
Douglas Grove Surgery will promote awareness to healthcare workers, co-workers, patients and visitors
about the importance of infection prevention and control measures.
We aim to make it part of our daily practice to primarily prevent and contain infections. Therefore please
follow these simple steps to help yourself and others around you.
If you KNOW that you are suffering for an infectious complaint please call the surgery and ask for a call
back from one of the doctors or nurses. Please do not come into the surgery
Please inform reception if you THINK you are suffering from an infectious complaint. You can then be
segregated from other patients and healthcare workers.
Please use the antibacterial hand gel provided at reception when entering the surgery. This will ensure
that you will not be passing on any germs to other users when you touch any objects within the
surgery.
SURGERY INFORMATION
Reception
Our reception staff endeavour to provide a flexible service throughout surgery opening times. They all
work part-time and all are approachable and friendly. They will do their best to accommodate your
wishes. If they are not always able to do so this will usually be because they are carrying out the
instructions of the doctors. Like every other practice we have to manage high levels of demand by setting
priorities. We hope that you will find our policies fair and reasonable. If you do feel dissatisfied we would
like you to express your concerns directly to the practice manager or to the doctors if they are not
available. Please don’t give the receptionists a hard time. They do a difficult job well, and are not
responsible for the policies of the practice.
Registering with the practice
If you wish to register with the practice you will be asked to fill in the appropriate forms. Please ensure
that these are filled in correctly and completely, if not there could be a delay in your registration. You will
be offered a new patient check with the nurse to ensure your past medical history and medication is
recorded on our computer. If you do not wish to make an appointment at this time it will be your
responsibility to ensure that an appointment will be booked within 14 days. This will enable us to assist in
your care until your full medical records arrive. You may express a preference of practitioner when
booking your appointment.
Violent or abusive behaviour
The practice will not tolerate any violent or abusive behaviour or language from patients or their
relatives. The doctors or practice managers may well ask patients and their families to leave the practice
and to register elsewhere if they believe the behaviour of the patient is unacceptable to them.
Home visits
If you need a home visit please try to telephone before 10.30 a.m. so that the doctors can organise their
visiting rounds. The increasing demand for medical care has vastly increased the work load of GP’s. This
means that the doctors can now only make home visits to patients who are too ill to be brought to the
surgery by car or by taxi, and only in those instances where the problem cannot be dealt with by way of a
telephone consultation. Please note that you cannot insist that a GP visits you at home. A GP can also
decide how urgently a visit is needed.
Phones and premises
The surgery doors open at 8.30 a.m. daily, however appointments in person can only be booked from 10
a.m. onwards. The telephone lines open at 8.30 a.m. daily. The surgery doors and telephone lines are
closed between 1.30 – 2.30 p.m. The surgery closes at 6.30 p.m.
In an emergency when the surgery is closed
Please call 111, which is free from a landline or mobile number.
APPOINTMENTS
Telephone consultation
If a problem is very urgent, a telephone consultation with the doctor or Nurse Practitioner on call that day
will be offered to you. The receptionist will take the telephone number of where you are. If may not be
with your usual GP, and there may be a short wait. The doctor will endeavour to speak to all patients who
are ill as soon as possible. Please only use an emergency telephone consultation if the problem really
cannot wait. Please ensure you call the surgery before 10.30 a.m. to ensure a call.
Routine appointments
Each patient is allocated a ten minute pre-booked appointment. However some patients may need longer
than this. Should you require a longer appointment please tell the receptionists when make the
appointment.
If you wish to see the doctor, nurse or midwife please telephone to make an appointment. Routine
appointments are offered each morning where possible, within 48 hours. We also offer pre-booked
afternoon appointments.
It is the responsibility of the patient to either keep or telephone to cancel an appointment in good time.
‘Did Not Attend’ Policy
If a patient fails to attend a pre-booked appointment on more than two occasions in the last 12 months, an
informal warning letter will be sent out to you. If you fail to attend on another occasion the matter will be
discussed between the clinicians and you may be removed from the practice list. In which case a formal
warning letter will be issued.
Emergency appointments
If we are unable to offer you a routine appointment on the day, and you think your appointment cannot
wait until the next day, please explain to the reception staff, at which point they will fit you in to see the
doctor or nurse as an emergency that day. We cannot guarantee which doctor or nurse you may see.
Doctor’s holidays
The partner’s cover each others surgeries and also employs a locum where necessary.
Out of hours arrangements
At all times other than stated within this document there is an emergency service to assist patients with
their medical conditions. Please call 111 which is free from a landline or mobile number.
Clinics
The doctors and nurses hold various clinics throughout the week to help patients with the control of their
disease, and to advise on prevention of ill health. If you have any queries on how to access these services,
please telephone the surgery and our receptionists will endeavour to assist you. The practice undertakes
research for professional development and improve individual health care. It may be that the practice will
ask you to attend a special clinic to discuss your medical conditions. You will be invited via a personal
letter and be recalled again annually for follow up. If you decline this care you will need to inform us and
we will remove you form the recall system, however it is strongly recommended you attend to enable the
practice to monitor your progress.
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Diabetes
Asthma
Coronary Heart Disease
Hypertension
Well Man / Well Woman Clinics and health checks for new and elderly patients
Family Planning
Cervical Smears
Child Health Surveillance
Maternity Services
Minor Surgery
Depression
Mental Health
Phlebotomy
Take control of your health
 Stop smoking
• Watch your weight
• Take regular exercise
 Eat a low fat diet
• Eat high fibre food
• Avoid excess sun
 Take alcohol in moderation • Ensure your holiday vaccinations are up to date
Travel vaccine clinics
Anyone travelling abroad should make an appointment with the nurse to discuss what vaccinations are
required. Please allow plenty of time before travelling to complete all the vaccine courses.
Minor surgery
Arrangements can be made for some minor surgery to be carried out at the surgery. Cysts, lumps, warts,
etc. can be removed. Please discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
Non NHS medical examinations
One of the partners carries out medical examinations for insurance companies, and other fitness medicals,
including HGV licences, elderly drivers, sporting and pre-employment examinations. There is a charge
payable by the patient for these examinations. Please ask the receptionists for details.
Confidentiality
All members of staff at the practice are bound by the confidentiality policy held by the practice.
Information however is shared with other health care professionals with the practice team where
appropriate by means of the computer records. This includes confidentiality between the patient and their
relatives. It is sometimes difficult when another member of the family telephones or asks for information
regarding their relatives which is not forthcoming from a member of staff. This is because they are bound
by the confidentiality guidelines. Please telephone or ask in person for any information regarding your
own health only. Where patients are enquiring about an elderly or sick relative it is crucial we have
written consent from the patients agreeing to us discussing or releasing information regarding their wellbeing.
Disclosure to third parties
GP’s and staff will ensure that personal health information is only disclosed to third parties when consent
has been given by the patient. Exceptions to this rule occur when the disclosure is necessary to manage a
serious and imminent threat to the patient’s health or welfare, or is required by law. A referral or
telephone encounter to a third party health care professional may be necessary and by the patient
discussing this with staff or health care professional at the surgery first, it is assumed that consent has
been given. Referrals may be to hospital consultants, health visitors, school nurses, the out of hour’s
service and care in the community where appropriate.
GP’s and staff will only disclose to third parties only that information which is required to fulfil the needs
of the patient. These principles also apply where the information is transferred by e-mail, internet, and
post or by telephone.
Complaints procedure
If you have a complaint or suggestion for improvement, please contact the practice managers, who will
endeavour to help with your concern. If the practice has failed to resolve your complaint, it is your right
to contact the Care Trust at PALS (patient advice and liaison service), Swift House, Hedgerows Business
Park, Colchester Road, Springfield, Essex. CM2 5PK or telephone on 01245 459459.
SELF HELP FOR COMMON ILLNESSES AND ACCIDENTS
Antibiotics
These medicines only work on bacteria and do not work on viruses. This means that the common viral
infections like cold and flu etc. will not be helped by antibiotics. Overuse of them leads to the
development of more powerful bacterial resistant to antibiotics, which may not then work when they are
badly needed. They can also cause side effects such as thrush, rashes and diarrhoea.
Viral infections
Most common viral infections are self-limiting; the bodies own immunity produces antibodies to the
virus, and these kill the virus. Stress and activity suppress the immune response, so rest of often necessary
to help recovery to a viral infection. While the antibodies are being produced, the symptoms of the illness
can usually be treated by simple measures. Paracetamol reduces pain and temperature. Sometimes extra
cooling is required, and the body can be sprayed with water from a domestic ironing spray, and then
evaporation and cooling can be increased with an electric fan. This is especially helpful for young
children, who do not sweat as much as adults. Dehydration must be avoided, so the regular intake of
fluids is also very important. Gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) is usually caused by a virus and
because the stomach and intestines are very inflamed by the infection, they cannot absorb solids or milk,
which therefore makes the diarrhoea and vomiting worse. The patient should only be given small frequent
amounts of boiled water containing orange squash, Ribena or Dioralyte and the diarrhoea and vomiting
have stopped for 12 hours. Very bland solids such as dry bread or rice, or diluted milk or formula can
then be reintroduced cautiously. If the above approach is not successful, you will then need to seek
medical advice from the practice.
DOUGLAS GROVE ARE PLEASED TO OFFER:
Blood tests:
These are taken by our Healthcare Assistant here at Douglas Grove Surgery – Results are normally
available within 3-5 days, it is the patient’s responsibility to ring the surgery between 3.00pm—4.30pm
for these, in cases where the doctor feels that a result is to be dealt with urgently, one of the surgery team
may call.
Any other specimens (e.g. urine or stools) should be delivered to Douglas Grove Surgery before 12 noon
in order to catch the transport van to Broomfield Hospital.
X-rays:
These can be taken at any one of the 3 local hospitals; you will be able to pre-book your appointment with
our reception staff. There is a walk in service at Braintree Community Hospital.
Surgery consulting times are between:
Monday to Friday
- 8.30 – 6.30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
- Closed
Phones and premises
The surgery doors open at 8.30 a.m. daily, however appointments in person can only be booked from 10
a.m. onwards. The telephone lines open at 8.30 a.m. daily. The surgery telephone lines are closed between
1.30 – 2.30 p.m. The surgery closes at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday and Fridays. Monday and Tuesday 7.30pm
In an emergency when the surgery is closed—Dial 111 Free from a landline or mobile
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Douglas Grove Surgery
Out of hours emergency service
Broomfield Hospital
Citizens Advice Bureau
Social Services
Police Station
Drug & Alcohol Team
Relate, Chelmsford
Genito-Urinary Clinic
Samaritans
Braintree District Council
Health Visitor
Farleigh Hospice
Registrar births, deaths and marriages
Tel no: 01376 512827
Fax no: 01376 502463
E-mail: adminF81173@nhs.net
Tel no: 01376 512827
Tel no: 01245 362000
Tel no: 01376 516222
Tel no: 01376 555400
Tel no: 01376 501212
Tel no: 01245 318588
Tel no: 01245 258680
Tel no: 01245 513086
Tel no: 01245 357357
Tel no: 01376 552525
Tel no: 01376 512243
Tel no: 01245 358130
Tel no: 01376 320762
The surgery complies with the Publication Scheme and the Freedom of Information Act and
Patient Confidentiality Policy.
If a patient needs to cancel their evening appointment out of normal working hours they can contact us
by: e-mail on adminF81173@.nhs.net
Website: www.douglasgrovesurgery.nhs.uk