DR I FREED
MOUNTBATTEN HOUSE
SURGERY
Tel: 01245 467750
Fax: 01245 466192
Practise Manager: 01245 399264
Practise Secretary: 01245 399265
1 Montgomery Close, North Springfield,
Chelmsford CM1 6ZG
Welcome to Mountbatten House Surgery
Practise History
Originally founded in 1981 by Dr Phil Hariram, to serve the growing population of North Springfield. Dr I Freed
joined the surgery in 1982 and following Dr Harriram’s retirement in 2004 became the senior Partner.
The Surgery has continued to grow as a surgery, looking after 7,500+ patients. However, we remain to serve
just as was the intention in 1981 with a warm and friendly service to its patients.
Surgery Hours
Monday to Friday
8:00am—1:00pm
2:00pm-6:30pm
Extended access
Wednesday evenings - 6:30pm—8.30pm
Making an Appointment
You can make an appointment with the Doctor/Nurse Practitioner/Nurse/Health Care assistant by either
calling or attending the surgery during our Surgery Hours. Please note that at peak times the lines are very
busy, and although we do aim to answer every call as quickly as possible you may have to wait before being
dealt with.
Appointments with the Doctors and the Nurse Practitioner can be booked up to two weeks in advance, and
appointments with the Nurses and Health Care Assistant can be booked up to six weeks and advance.
Urgent Appointments
Emergency appointments are dealt with by the “On Call” Doctor and are done so at their discretion.
Home Visits
If you are physically incapable of managing to get to the surgery then a home visit can be booked for you.
Home Visits are dealt with by the “On Call” doctor and are done so at their discretion and when they finish
their morning surgery. The member of staff taking your Home Visit appointment will be required to take some
details of your condition so they can brief the doctor.
Out of Hours
If you have an urgent problem outside of the surgery Hours , you can call the surgery main contact number—
this will automatically give you the out of hours emergency contact numbers that will be able to assist you
with your issue. This is strictly for emergencies only, and we do stress to patients to only tuse this line in
situations where they can’t wait until the surgery reopens.
Repeat Prescriptions
Please allow a minimum of two full working days for us to prepare your prescription.
How to request for your repeat medication: In Person at the surgery
 Via Post
 Email— mountbatten.prescriptions@nhs.net
 Fax—01245 466192
We do not take repeat prescriptions over the phone in any circumstances.
Test Results
If your Doctor recommends you have a blood test, you can either book in with the Phlebotomy clinic at the
surgery or ask at reception for other 3rd party services.
Please call into the surgery on the dedicated test results line between 4.00pm—6.00pm leaving at least 2-3
days after your test.
Please note that under data protection legislation we are unable to discuss results to registered patients aged
16+ unless we have received written confirmation otherwise.
Hospital Referrals
If your Doctor thinks it is necessary you will be referred to the hospital to see a consultant or specialist. This
will usually involve one of the local hospitals or community trusts. Please ensure that all discharge letters from
the hospital are brought to the surgery as soon as possible after any surgery.
Change of Address/Name/Telephone Number
Any change of name or address should be notified to reception as soon as possible. You will be asked to fill out
the appropriate forms with your new details. Please note that a change in address that falls outside our
practise area may require you to register with another practise.
Your Records and Data Protection
We work in accordance with the Data Protection Act and aim to provide you with the highest quality of health
care. To do this we must keep records about you, your health and the care we have provided for you
Everyone at the Practise has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. We will not share
information that identifies you for any reason, unless: You ask us to do so
 We ask and you give specific permission
 We are required by law to do so
 We have permission because the interests of the public are thought to be of greater importance than your
confidentiality.
Complaints
Our aim is to provide the highest level of care for all of our patients. If you have any complaints please refer to
our “how to make a complaint leaflet” which gives details to assist you. This can be found within the surgery.
Help us to get it right
We constantly try to improve the service we offer. Please let us know when you think we have done something
well or you think there is anything that we could improve.
Facilities for the disabled
We have a dedicated disabled parking space in the car park. There is a wheelchair ramp and automatic doors
to the surgery entrance. There is also a disabled toilet situated off of the foyer. Please do ask if you need
further assistance.
Bereavement
When involved the hospital or hospice do notify us of a death but we are always grateful if a relative can
inform us when one of our patients passes away.
Our Services/Clinics
We provide the following services for our patients; please ask as reception for further details and booking
queries: Asthma
 Blood Pressure
 Cervical Smears
 Child Health Checks
 Child Health Clinics
 Childhood Immunisations
 Diabetes
 Ear Syringing
 Family Planning
 Immunisations & Vaccinations
 Flu Clinics
 Travel Vaccinations
 INR
 Ischaemic Heart Disease
 Maternity Care
 Retinal Screening
 Spirometry
 Wart Clinic
Non NHS Services
Some Medical examinations and completion of forms are not funded by NHS and a fee is therefore payable.
The practise follows British Medical Association fee guidelines. Patients should be aware that NHS funded
work take priority over private work and that a minimum of 10 working days is required for completion of
forms and a minimum of 21 working days is required for medical reports. Please see the notice in reception for
a list of our fees.
How to treat Common Illnesses
Many Conditions can be dealt with by using both common sense and products bought over the counter. Your
local pharmacist will be able to assist you in buying the most suitable product to treat your condition.
Coughs, Colds, Sore Throats and other “flu like symptoms”
These, most common illnesses, can be easily treated and in most cases do not require antibiotics nor will
antibiotics actually resolve the issue any faster. Suggested treatment is through taking the recommended
dosage of paracetamol, drinking plenty of fluids and using over the counter medicines.
Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Often caused by viruses which clear up within a few days or so can be treated easily without seeking medical
assistance. Drinking clear fluids and resting the digestive system from solid foods for 24hrs will help reduce
the symptoms, there are also over the counter options available.
In babies or young children, using special fluid replacement powders that are available over the counter in
sachet forms is key to replenishing any lost fluids or minerals.
Backache, Strains and Sprains
These conditions usually improve with a few days’ rest, cold compresses and pain relief (e.g. anti-inflammatory
medication—ibuprofen). For sprains appropriate supportive bandaging will also reduce the initial swelling.
Back pain may also require rest on a firm supported surface.
Nosebleeds
It is best to sit in a chair leaning forwards with your mouth open and pinching the fleshy lower part of the nose
maintaining a firm pressure for five minutes. If the bleeding continues then you should attend the Accident
and Emergency Department at Broomfield Hospital.
Head Lice, Worms and Warts
These are common conditions particularly in childhood. They do not reflect poor personal hygiene. Curative
treatment can be obtained from the pharmacist without any prescription required.
Scalds and Burns
These accidents can be easily avoided by taking extra care and preventative measures. Look around your home
or workplace and see if there are any potential hazards.
 Apply large quantities of cold water to the area as quick as possible.
 If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose dry dressing
 If the skin is broken, consult your doctor or the Casualty Department.
Cuts and Grazes
Wash the wound thoroughly with a antiseptic solution. Stop the bleeding using a clean dressing applied firmly
to the wound for up to 5 minutes. Then cover with a clean, dry dressing. If the wound is very deep, ragged or
the edges cannot be brought together, treatment should be sought at the Casualty Department.
Childhood Illnesses
Chickenpox
On the first day a rash appears as small red lumps about 3-4mm across. Within a few hours of these
developing, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next three to four days, further
patches will appear and the earlier ones will turn “crusty”. Calamine Lotion may be applied to help the itching.
The most infectious period is two or three days before the rash appears and until the last crusts have formed,
usually seven to ten days after the rash started. Children may return to school as soon as the last crusts have
dropped off.
German Measles
The rash appears during the first day of the illness and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink
spots about 2-4mm large and does not itch. There are usually no other symptoms apart from the occasional
aching joints. It is infectious from two days before the rash appears until the rash disappears in about four or
five days. There is a risk to unborn babies and therefore it is important that all contacts are informed in order
that anyone who is pregnant can contact their doctor.
Measles
The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body on about the fourth day of feeling unwell and is
often accompanied by a cough. It is most infectious from two or three days before the rash appears until eight
to ten days afterwards.
Mumps
The Symptoms are swelling of the salivary glands in front of one or both ears. It is infectious for two or three
days before the swelling starts until 10 days afterwards. If the pain is severe, you should consult your doctor.
All of the above infections are caused by viruses and usually do not require treatment from the doctor.
However, if your child appears particularly unwell or you are worried, your doctor will be happy to give you
advice.
Temperature
A temperature occurs commonly even with mild infections. In small children it is important to stop the
temperature rising too quickly and children should be given paracetamol or ibuprofen syrup, which may be
bought from the pharmacy and plenty of cool drinks. Do not over wrap a child with a temperature. If a
temperature is very high and does not come down with the above treatment or the child appears very unwell
with the temperature, you should consult your doctor. A child with a temperature will not come to harm being
wrapped up and brought in to the surgery and can usually be seen sooner.
Your medical cabinet and what to keep in it
We recommend keeping the following items at home to be used in the treatment of common illnesses. Do
remember to keep out of the reach of children.
Paracetamol — for the relief of pain or fever and is available in tablet or liquid form for adults and children.
Asprin —this is an alternative to paracetamol for use on adults and children over the age of 12.
Antihistamines — available in both tablet and liquid form for treating irritations and allergies.
Thermometer — used to check temperature; they come in various styles and applications depending on
personal preference.
Wound Dressings — keep a selection of plasters, gauze dressings and anti-septic wipes to clean and dress
small cuts and grazes
Diarrhoea Medicines — over the counter products are available for both adults and children.
Head Lice — a selection of remedies can be bought from your local chemist