Regal Chambers Surgery
PFG NEWSLETTER NO. 1
JANUARY 2012
50 Bancroft
Hitchin
Hertfordshire
SG5 1LL
01462 453232
www.regalchambers.co.uk
“STICK ME ON YOUR FRIDGE “
Useful Telephone Numbers & Addresses
The nearest Casualty Department is at:
Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane
Stevenage, SG1 4AB
01438 314333
Local Hospitals
Garden House Hospice
01462 679540
Pinehill Hospital
01462 422822
QE11 Hospital
01707 328111
Advisory Services
Benefits Helpline
0800 882200
British Pregnancy Advisory Service
08457 304030
Childline
0800 1111
Citizens Advice Bureau
08444 111444
Job Centre Plus
0845 6043719
Drugsline
01462 442442
Hitchin Counselling Service
01462 790806
NHS Direct
01707 276512
Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
01438 316681
Social Services
0300 123 4040
Victim Support
01707 354626
Health Services
Bedford Road Health Centre
01438 314333
Breast Screening Centre
01582 497599
Family Planning Clinic
01462 427130
Opening Hours: Monday 13.30 – 15.30, Tuesday and Wednesday 18.30 – 20.30
Genito-urinary and Aids Clinic
01438 847500
Seasonal Advice and Information
Travelling Abroad
Need vaccinations for foreign travel? Click here to visit our dedicated travel information page.
Going somewhere sunny during the winter months? If so, it’s important to protect your skin , and
especially your children’s, from the harmful effects of the sun. Click here for advice.
Did you know….?
Your surgery:

The surgery can text you reminders for your appointments and test results if you
provide a mobile phone number.

We have a fabulous website with lots of information and forms you can download or
complete online at www.regalchambers.co.uk
Your health:

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease which is on the increase. Regal Chambers
offers a free testing service to patients aged 17-24. All you need to do is provide a
urine sample. Ask your GP or a Nurse for a testing kit, and we’ll text you the result.
You can help us to help you by....

Arriving on time for your appointment. Finding parking can be tricky, so it’s a good
idea to allow for that.

Letting us know if you are unable to keep an appointment, as we are always able to fill
unused appointments.

Providing clear information to our receptionists, whose aim is to facilitate contact as
quickly as possible, where appropriate, with the right member of the team.

Ensuring that we have your current contact details. If you move house or change your
mobile or home phone number, please let us know immediately.

Being patient if there are delays, e.g. with appointments or prescriptions. We do our
very best to provide the service you expect, but even our technology has bad days…!
Useful Terminology/Acronyms
HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS : A – M
A&E
Accident and Emergency
Cardio-thoracic
Heart and chest
Chemical pathology
Blood & urine tests
Chiropody/Podiatry
Care of feet
Dermatology
Skin
Dietetics
Dietary concerns and advice
ENT
Ears, nose and throat
Geriatrics
Care of the elderly
GUM
Genito-urinary medicine
Gynaecology
Women’s health
Haematology
Blood conditions
Histology
Examination of lumps and bumps
Maxillo-facial
Face and jaw surgery
Microbiology
Tests for germs in blood, urine and faeces
‘N’ onwards in the next newsletter…
What is the PRG (Patients Reference Group)?
We are a group of patients who have volunteered (in response to a request from the surgery
that was made to all patients) to represent you. We plan to communicate with you via
quarterly newsletters which will be published on the Regal Chambers website and also sent
out by post to those of you who do not have computer access. This will help the practice keep
in touch with everyone. From time to time, newsletters will include questionnaires that will
provide the practice with useful feedback from patients.
The History of Regal Chambers
The practice was founded in early 1870 by the late Dr John Gilbertson. It was based in the
small but thriving market town of Hitchin.
This picture shows a tree-lined and largely residential Bancroft in 1911. The ancient
sycamores that lined the road were old and hollow, but they apparently survived until one of
them was blown across the road. They were removed shortly afterwards.
The practice was initially based at the Hermitage Road end of Bancroft and was passed by Dr
John Gilbertson to his son, Marshall, and new premises were found at 30 Bancroft, a large
Victorian house. The practice remained in the family when it was passed on again, during the
1950s, to Dr Marshall Gilbertson’s son, Michael.
The new premises had a large garden which was subsequently used to create Bancroft Court,
into which the practice moved in the early 1970's, when it became Marshall House Surgery.
It was based here until 1987 when it moved to its current location at 50 Bancroft.
This site has its own history, having once been the famous Regal Cinema, from which the
practice took its name when it moved there.
The Regal Cinema opened in 1939 and was noted for
its art deco-style front and for seating over 1,000
patrons. It was closed in 1977 but temporarily opened
again in 1980 to be used as a recording studio and
concert hall. This was, however, short-lived and by
the late 1980s, Regal Chambers, a modern, purposebuilt surgery, had replaced the old cinema building.
Questionnaire No. 1
Please complete the questionnaire below. It will help Regal Chambers provide you
with the service you expect. Please cut off this page and return to the surgery by
31/01/2012. Feedback about responses will be provided in the next newsletter.
What are the three things you like most about Regal Chambers Surgery?
1)
2)
3)
___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
What three things would you change about the Surgery if you could?
1)
__________________________________________________________
2)
__________________________________________________________
3)
__________________________________________________________
Thank you from all at Regal Chambers Surgery.
.
DECEMBER STATISTICS
Monthly Surgery Statistics
All of the following information detailed below relates to 1.12.11 – 31.12.11
Total number of new patients registered = 74
Total number of acute prescriptions done = 1824
Total number of repeat prescriptions done = 2402
Total number of hits on practice website = 4812
Total number of patients seen, phoned or visited = 7161
Total number of home visits = 228
Total number of telephone consultations including the triage system = 1197
Total number of face to face consultations = 5736
Total number of referrals done = 237
Total number of patient DNA's (Did Not Attend Booked Appointment) = 176
This means 1918 minutes of wasted clinicians time which equates to 31.9 hours or 10 whole surgeries
wasted
Our average waiting time for appointments was 6.6 minutes and our average wait for delayed
appointments was 9.1 minutes