Abbottswood Medical Centre
Abbottswood Medical Centre
Defford Road
Pershore
Worcestershire, WR10 1HZ
01386 552424
Telephone:
01386 551440
Test results:
Repeat prescriptions: 01386 561143
01386 561400
Fax:
Website
www.abbottswoodmedicalcentre.co.uk
When the surgery is closed call 0300 1233211
Welcome to Abbottswood Medical Centre
We welcome you as a patient to Abbottswood Medical Centre and hope you find this website
useful - it tells you about the practice and the services we offer. To register as a patient, please
call at reception or complete the online form.
Please have a look around and do send us some feedback if you like. We can use your ideas to
improve our online services and further develop the content of this site.
Surgery Opening Times
Receptionists are available Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.30pm
Extended Hours
Pre-booked Doctor appointments are also available as follows:
Tuesday
18:30 - 19:20 1 Doctor on a rota basis
Wednesday
07:00 - 07:40 2 Doctors on a rota basis
Saturday (one a month)
08:00 - 10:20 2 Doctors on a rota basis
Prebooked appointments with Treatment Room and Chronic Disease Nurses are available
some Saturdays and some weekday evenings. As these can vary, contact reception for details.
Prebooked Nursing Assistant appointments are available as follows:
Wednesday
07:00-08:00
1 Nursing Assistant
Out of Hours
For assistance between the hours of 18:30 and 08:00, and at weekends, cover is provided by
Worcestershire GP Emergency Service - telephone 0300 1233 211.
Home Visits
To access this service, please contact reception before 10.30am - other than in an emergency.
Appointments
Appointments can be made by telephoning or by calling at the surgery. To provide a
comprehensive, accessible service, our appointment system is organised in this way.
Consultations with doctors and practice nurses are by appointment Monday to Friday
Opening Hours
The surgery is open at the following times
Monday:
08:00 to 18:30
Tuesday:
08:00 to 18:30
Wednesday:
08:00 to 18:30
Thursday:
08:00 to 18:30
Friday:
08:00 to 18:30
Weekend:
Closed all day
Doctor Appointments
Monday to Friday 08:30 - 11:25
15:30 - 17:20
Nurse Appointments
Monday to Friday 08:30 - 12:30
14:00 - 17:20
Nursing Assistant Appointments
Monday to Friday 08:00 - 12:30
14:00 - 17:20
Extended Hours
Pre-booked Doctor appointments are also available as follows:
Tuesday
Wednesday
Saturday
18:30 - 19:20 1 Doctor on a rota basis
07:00 - 07:40 2 Doctors on a rota basis
08:00 - 10:20 2 Doctors on a rota basis
When We Are Closed
For assistance between the hours of 18:30 and 08:00, and at weekends, cover is provided by
Worcestershire GP Emergency Service - telephone 0300 1233 211.
You can also contact NHS Direct 24 hours a day on 0845 4647.
If your problem is not urgent, please contact the surgery when it is next open.
NHS Direct
In the case of urgent need when the practice is closed you can call NHS Direct
(www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/) (0845 4647) to speak to a triage nurse. Your needs will be assessed and
advice offered or arrangements made for you to see a doctor.
Please do not ask to see a doctor out of hours unless you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery
re-opens.
Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an
emergency.
Surgery Opening Times
Receptionists are available Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.30pm.
Appointments
Appointments can be made by telephoning or by calling at the surgery. To provide a
comprehensive, accessible service, our appointment system is organised in this way.
Consultations with doctors and practice nurses are by appointment Monday to Friday.
Review Appointments
Review appointments are used for ongoing problems and can be booked in advance. To ensure
continuity of care and a personal service, we advise patients to see their usual doctor for ongoing
problems wherever possible. Because of their nature, there can be a longer waiting time for these
appointments.
If more than one person per family needs seeing, please book a separate appointment for each
person.
Same Day Appointments
Same day appointments are used for patients with new or short term problems or for ongoing
problems which have suddenly become worse.
Appointments With The On-call Doctor
Appointments can be made with the on-call doctor if you have a problem which requires prompt
action.
Disabled Access
We are keen to improve disabled access and would welcome any comments you may have.
There are designated parking spaces for our disabled patients near the front door. The waiting
room, consulting rooms, treatment area and dispensary are all on the ground floor with easy
access for wheelchairs. We also have a counter loop available at reception.
Although we have automated doors, there is a bell to ring for assistance should you need help.
Home Visits
To access this service, please contact reception before 10.30am - other than in an emergency.
Whenever possible, patients should expect to be seen at the surgery. If your medical condition is
such that, in the opinion of the doctor, it is necessary to do so, a visit can be made to your home.
If a home visit is requested, our receptionist may ask you a few questions about the problem in
order to help the doctor judge the urgency of the call. We would value your co-operation with
this.
Telephone Calls To Doctors And Nurses
Doctors and nurses can be contacted by telephoning 01386 552424. Our receptionist will then
arrange a time for you to speak to the doctor or nurse.
Doctors normally take calls at the end of morning surgery (around 12 noon) while nurses
normally take calls at the end of morning surgery or at the end of afternoon surgery at 6.00pm.
Repeat prescriptions can be ordered in any of the following ways:
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Online via the form on this page
Leave written requests in the red post box in waiting room - by dispensary (use the white
half of the prescription if possible, indicating which items are required)
Fax to 01386 561400
Post (please enclose an SAE)
Telephone 01386 561143 Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm
It is essential to allow 48 hours' notice for your prescription to be processed. You can collect it
from our dispensary or we can arrange for collection by one of the town pharmacies. Please
state where you wish to collect from each time you request a repeat - Abbottswood
Dispensary, Ogles or Boots in Pershore.
Dispensary
Our dispensary is available for all our registered patients who live more than one mile from the
nearest chemist (this is to comply with NHS regulations). It is also available to all temporary
residents. Our dispensary staff are happy to help out with any queries you may have and will
dispose of any unused or out-of-date medication for you.
Opening Times
Our dispensary is open from 08:30 to 18:30 Monday to Friday.
Our dispensary manager, Frances MacFadyen, is a registered pharmacist and is available to
answer any queries that you may have regarding your medicines. You can book an appointment
at reception or ask in the dispensary. When the pharmacist is not available our dispensers will be
happy to answer your queries.
If you have any out of date or unused medicines please return them to the dispensary for safe
disposal.
Home Delivery Service
Our Dispensary offer a free home delivery service for patients who live more than a mile in
diameter from the practice, subject to following conditions:
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We require at least 3 days notice before we can deliver.
Delivery only on either a Tuesday or Thursday morning (no time can be specified).
Someone MUST be in to receive or sign for the prescription.
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Any payments must be made to courier by either cash or cheque (sorry, cards cannot be
excepted).
Please specify when requesting the prescription (either by website, phone or email) that it
is for Delivery.
If you request Delivery it will be assumed you agree to the above conditions.
Medicine Dosing System
To assist patients who experience difficulty in taking their medicine correctly, we can provide a
daily dosing system. Please enquire at Dispensary.
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
From 1 April 2009, the charges are:
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Prescription (per item): £7.20
12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00
3-month PPC: £28.25
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. The charge for a single prescription item is
£7.20, whereas a three month PPC will cost you £28.25 and a 12 month PPC £104.00.
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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.
Clinics & Services
We offer core NHS General Medical Services as well as the services listed below. To access any
of our services, please contact reception.
Abbottswood is firmly committed to the concept of preventative medicine. You may be asked
questions about your health, past medical history and lifestyle at routine surgery attendances.
Newly Registered Patients
Click on Patient Registration link on the right for information on patient registration.
Minor Injuries
The practice provides a minor injuries service for injuries such as burns, abrasions, dog bites,
sprains etc. Contact reception for an appointment with our treatment room nurse. For out-ofhours service, the nearest minor injuries unit is at Evesham Community Hospital, Waterside,
Evesham. The nearest accident and emergency centre is at Worcestershire Royal Hospital,
Charles Hastings Way, Worcester.
General Health Checks
Patients aged 16 and over who have not had a consultation with a doctor or nurse at
Abbottswood in the last three years are entitled to request a health check by the practice nurse.
Patients aged 75 years and over who have not had a consultation with a doctor, practice nurse
or district nurse within the last 12 months are entitled to request a health check by the practice
nurse. We may also send a ‘Staywell’ questionnaire to patients over 75 years old to help us in
ensuring our older patients receive appropriate care and assistance
Chronic Disease Management
We offer comprehensive management of chronic disease based on the best available research
evidence, and in accordance with NHS regulations and requirements.
It is essential for all our patients with chronic disease - especially those listed below - to attend
for regular monitoring checks with our specially trained practice nurses.
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Chronic heart disease
Stroke
Hypertension
Hypothyroidism
Diabetes
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Asthma
Epilepsy
Mental health
Dementia
Cancer
Chronic Kidney Disease
Learning Disabled
Cervical Smears
Women between the age of 20 and 49 years are offered three-yearly cervical smears, and patients
aged between 50 and 64 years five-yearly smears, in accordance with national and local
standards. These can be carried out by our treatment room nurses.
Family Planning
All aspects of family planning are provided by the doctors and three specially trained practice
nurses, including IUCD fittings and post-coital contraception. Pre-conceptual advice is also
available.
Maternity Care
A full pre-conceptual, antenatal and postnatal maternity service is provided by the Evesham and
Pershore Midwifery Team together with your own GP.
Child Health
Well-child clinics are held on Tuesdays from 1.30 to 3.30pm - no appointment necessary. Our
health visitors provide a service for children aged five years and under, including developmental
checks in accordance with local guidelines, advice on feeding and behavioural problems and
child protection issues.
Child Immunisations
Child immunisations are carried out by appointment with the treatment room nurses.
Minor Surgery
If appropriate, minor surgery procedures can be carried out at Abbottswood by your doctor.
Foreign Travel
We offer a comprehensive travel immunisation and advice service. We recommend you allow at
least eight weeks before departure to allow sufficient time for any course of immunisations you
may require. To access this service make an appointment to see our treatment
room nurse. Bring with you details of your holiday and previous vaccinations if possible.
Not all travel vaccinations are covered by the NHS. You will be advised by the nurse what
charges will be made.
Other services may be available locally - to find out more, contact Worcestershire PCT, West
Wing, Wildwood, Wildwood Drive, Worcester, WR2 2LG, telephone 01905 760000.
For further advice on foreign travel, click on 'Foreign Travel' link on the right.
Stop smoking clinic
If you wish to give up smoking, please ask your doctor or nurse to refer you to our stop smoking
clinic.
Other Services
Occupational Health Vaccinations
We are sometimes asked to provide and administer vaccinations against specific infective
illnesses (eg Hepatitis B) in cases where an individual may be at increased risk, either by virtue
of their occupation itself (eg health worker, refuse operative) or specific activity whilst at work
(eg first aider).
The infective illnesses which may be relevant in this context are Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis,
Rubella (German measles) and Varicella (Chicken pox).
Current Health and Safety legislation stipulates that it is the responsibility of the body
requesting the vaccination to organise an appropriate risk assessment and onward referral for
any necessary vaccination should it be necessary. Provision of vaccinations under these
circumstances is not included within the NHS and is not normally within the remit of a General
Medical Practice. The task should be carried out by the employer's own occupational health
department or a separate private provider.
Occasionally an employer, institution or other organisation will commision a General medical
Practice to provide and administer any necessary vaccinations. Abbottswood Medical Centre
has the necessary skills, staff and equipment to perform this service. The fee is payable by the
requesting body. In very unusual circumstances (eg self employed) when the fee is to be paid
by the patient we will need ot direct you to our colleagues at Pershore Medical Practice** with
whom we have a reciprocal agreement. The necessity for this is determined by NHS
regulations which forbid us obtaining a fee for an occupational vaccination from a registered
patient of the practice.
** Pershore Medical Practice can be contacted by telephone - 0844 477 3055 - please state that
you require an assessment with a view to an occupational health vaccination and that you have
been advised to do so by Abbottswood Medical Centre.
Charges For Non-NHS Services
A charge will be made for items not covered by the NHS - eg medicals for HGV
licence/sport/pre-employment, passport applications, driving licence applications, private
sickness certificates and claim forms for private medical insurance (BUPA etc), some travel
vaccines and medications.
The current charges are listed in the waiting room. Please allow five working days for processing
as clinical work has to take priority over administrative work.
Test Results
Test Results
Test results (including blood and urine) generally take between 3 to 7 working days to come
back from the laboratory. The clinician taking the sample will advise you when to ring for your
result.
X-ray results take 2 to 3 weeks to be processed.
To obtain test results, please telephone the Results Line 01386 551440 between 13:00-15:00
Monday to Friday.
All results are reviewed by your GP who will advise reception on any action that may need to be
taken, (e.g. make an appointment to see the GP, telephone the GP or have test retaken,
etc). Reception will only give you a result that the GP has commented on. If the GP has not
seen the result you will be advised to ring back.
IMPORTANT For reasons of confidentiality, results can only be given to the patient
themselves or their legal carer.
Patient Registration
Registration with the practice
To register with the practice, please complete the registration form, questionnaire and make an
appointment for a new patient check with one of our nursing assistants. You will be asked for
information on your medical history, medication, immunisations, lifestyle and general health
and family history. You will also have your blood pressure checked.
To register as a patient, please call at reception or click on the link below to open the form.
When you have completed all of the details, click on the "Send" button to mail your form to
us. Ensure your address is within the practice boundary - click on Practice Area link to the right.
You will be registered with Abbottswood Medical Centre but you can state which doctor you
would normally prefer to see. However, choice of practitioner cannot be absolute - it also
depends on the availablity of the practitioner. You may be asked to accept an alternative if a
service is provided by another type of primary care professional - for example, where a service is
nurse- or therapist-led.
To enable us to commence your care whilst waiting for your NHS records to arrive, please
complete a new patient questionnaire (call at reception or click on the link below to open the
form) AND make an appointment to see a nursing assistant.
Registration Form
Online medical questionnaire for new patients
Note that by sending the form you will be transmitting information about your self across the
Internet and although every effort is made to keep this information secure, no guarantee can be
offered in this respect.
Alternatively 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 (www.mysurgerywebsite.co.uk/regforms/gpregistration1.pdf)
Practice Boundary
Practice Boundary
The practice is able to accept new patients from the area covered by the map below.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality
Confidential Patient Identifiable Information
We adhere to high standards of confidentiality as laid down by the Data Protection Act 1998,
NHS Caldicott Principles and the Health and Social Care Act 2001.
We ask you for personal information so that you can receive appropriate care and
treatment. This information is recorded in manual records and on computer.
Abbottswood Medical Centre will ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained at all times by
all members of the practice team. However, for the effective functioning of a multi-disciplinary
team, it is sometimes necessary that medical information about you is shared between members
of the team.
Access To Medical Records
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, patients have right of access to their health
records provided:
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Application is made in writing (form available from reception)
A fee is paid
- Access only £10.00
- Access and copies £10.00 up to £50.00 (dependent upon work involved)
Access to medical records - over 16's
(www.mysurgerywebsite.co.uk/Access_to_medical_records_request.doc) - please click on this
link for access to medical records request form.
Access to medical records - under 16's
(www.mysurgerywebsite.co.uk/Access_to_medical_records_for_under_16s_request.doc) - please
click on this link for access to medical records request form.
Your Information
Your information (What you need to know) - click on this link to view what you need to know
regarding information recorded in your clinical records.
Suggestions & Complaints
Suggestions & Complaints
follow this link (www.worcestershire.nhs.uk/contact-us/how-to-make-acompliment-or-complaint.aspx) .
If you would like more information about PALS, the functions it is intended to
provide and the standards it should strive to achieve , follow this link
(www.pals.nhs.uk/) .
Practice Charter
Practice and Patient Responsibilities
Our Responsibilities To You
It is the responsibility of all members of the Abbottswood Team to try their
utmost to deliver a sensitive, expert and personal service. To help them do this
they regularly attend postgraduate education, refresher courses and undertake
continuous personal and professional development.
Your Responsibilities To Us
We ask our patients to act responsibly by:
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Being courteous to all members of the practice team
Keeping appointments - or letting us know if you can’t so that another
patient can use it
Being punctual for appointments
If the clinician is running late, please be patient
Having respect for race, gender and disability
Allow 48 hours for repeat prescriptions
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Keep us informed of any change of name, address and/or telephone
number
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
Abbottswood Medical Centre is committed to race equality in our workforce and
in all our work with and for the public. Our priorities for action include training
and staff development to ensure that all staff have the skills and knowledge to
put race equality into practice. We encourage feedback from black and ethnic
minority service users. To assist us with this work, we need to compile data and
you may be asked questions relating to your ethnic origin. If you have any
comment on how we can improve our service, please forward these to the
practice manager.
Zero Tolerance To Violent Or Aggressive Patients
In line with the rest of the NHS, Abbottswood has a Zero Tolerance Policy
towards violent or aggressive patients. Aggression includes verbal aggression or
threatening behaviour. Any patient behaving in an aggressive or threatening
manner towards any member of the Abbottswood team, other patients or visitors
will receive a letter detailing the behaviour and warning they may be removed
from the practice list. Any repeat of the behaviour will result in removal from
the practice list. An act of violence by a patient to a member of the Abbottswood
team, another patient or visitor or damage to Abbottswood property will result
in the police being called, removal of the patient from the premises, possible
criminal proceedings and immediate removal from the practice list.
Freedom Of Information Act
Information about the Abbottswood Medical Centre is available upon request.
Training
Abbottswood Medical Centre is an approved training practice and provides a
training facility for GP registrars.
This means from time-to-time we have a fully qualified doctor who is gaining
experience in general practice as part of their postgraduate training - they are
always supervised by one of the GPs. As part of their training, on occasions,
video recording takes place. This is fully confidential and subject to strict data
protection safeguards - but you are free to opt out.
Staff Details
Doctors
The following doctors practice together as a non-limited
partnership:
Dr Glenn Ralphs
MB ChB (Birmingham 1976) DRCOG
Dr Niall
O’Loghlen
MA MB BS (St Thomas’s London 1979) MRCGP DCH
DRCOG
Dr Claire Wunsch
BSc MB ChB (Manchester 1983) MRCP (Paeds) MRCGP
DRCOG
Dr Alison
Atkinson
MB ChB (Birmingham 1985) MRCP MRCGP DRCOG
Dr Kathryn
Thomas
MB ChB (Leeds 1983) MRCGP DCH DRCOG
Dr Peter Evans
MB ChB (Wales 1997) MRCP MRCGP DCH Dip Ther
Dr Craig Embley
MBBS (Guy's & St Thomas' 1997) MRCGP
Nurses
Chronic disease nurses undertake annual review of patients with a
variety of long-term conditions, including chronic heart disease,
diabetes, mental health conditions and epilepsy.
Treatment room nurses provide a wide range of services including
vaccinations, childhood immunisations, travel vaccines, wound care and
treatment, ear syringing, family planning, cervical smears and healthy
lifestyle advice.
Nursing assistants undertake phlebotomy (blood samples), urine
samples, ECGs, blood pressure readings, new patient checks, provide
patient care during minor surgery and assist the nursing team in a range
of tasks. To access this service, book at reception.
Mrs Louise Chronic Disease Nurse
Ansell
Mrs Jeanie Chronic Disease Nurse
Jackson
Mrs Julie
McVittie
Chronic Disease Nurse
Mrs Izzy
Langman
Chronic Disease Nurse/Treatment Room Nurse
Mrs Jan
Mitchell
Treatment Room Nurse
Mrs Helen
Clarke
Treatment Room Nurse
Mrs Nina
Lealan
Treatment Room Nurse
Mrs Lucy
Wilson
Treatment Room Nurse
Mrs Helen
Hancock
Treatment Room Nurse
Amanda
Nursing Assistant
Mrs Sue
Bearcroft
Nursing Assistant
Mrs Chris
Hyde
Nursing Assistant
Mrs
Patricia
Pruitt
Nursing Assistant
Mrs Anne
Mandic
Nursing assistant
Practice Management
Mrs Julia The Practice Manager, Mrs Julia Moore, is responsible for the
Moore
organisation of the practice and its personnel. She would welcome any
comments or suggestions for improving our service to patients.
Administration
Our three medical secretaries are available to help with any queries you may have
when your GP refers you to hospital, or other services such as physiotherapy.
Reception
Louise Cattle is our reception supervisor, working with a team of six receptionists.
Community Nurses
South Worcestershire Primary care Trust employs district nurses who
work as part of the Abbottswood Team from our building.
Carol Squires District Nurse - joint team leader
Nicki
Henderson
District Nurse
Carol Mason District Nurse
Val Hunn
District Nurse
Dani
Atkinson
District Nurse
Helen
Hedges
District Nurse
Paula Fisher
Nursing Assistant
Anne Mandic Nursing assistant
Health Visitors
South Worcestershire PCT employs health visitors who work as part
of the Abbottswood Team from our building.
Mrs Sue
Ricketts
Health visitor for under 5's.
Mrs Diane
Beale
Health visitor for under 5's.
Mrs Sandra
Nash
Health Visitor for the elderly
Attached Staff
SOCIAL WORKER
Jackie Leighton is employed by Worcestershire County Council, but works as part
of the Abbottswood team.
COUNSELLOR
Counselling is available via referral from your GP.
Medical and Nursing Students
We also have medical, nursing and other healthcare students attached to the practice
for short periods. If you do not wish to have the student present, please inform the
reception staff prior to being seen.
Dispensers
Our Dispensary Manager and Pharmacist, Frances MacFadyen, works with a team
of dispensers and support staff.