PRACTICE INFORMATION LEAFLET
Updated March 2014
BUNBURY MEDICAL PRACTICE
Vicarage Lane
Bunbury
Tarporley
Cheshire
CW6 9PE
Telephone: 01829 260218
Fax: 01829 260411
E-mail: bunbury.medicalcentre@nhs.net
Welcome to Bunbury Medical Practice
Introduction
There has been a medical practice in Bunbury for over 100 years. In March 2007 we
moved to the present, purpose built building in Vicarage Lane. Since moving into our new
premises we have increased many services to our patients and have also increased our staff
team. The new building provides good access for disabled.
The practice provides excellent medical services to our patients in a rural community
centred around Bunbury and outlying villages. We currently have just over 5000 patients,
and dispense medication to about 4000 patients.
On call cover is provided by the Western Cheshire Out of Hours Service and is based at
Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester and Tarporley Cottage Hospital. The Extended
Hours Service is based at Chester, Ellesmere Port, Helsby and Tattenhall. The practice has
long been a teaching practice, and we also have medical responsibility for the physically
handicapped children of Hebden Green School in Winsford.
The practice is a training practice for GPs and often has a GP Registrar working with us.
The Registrars undertake regular clinical supervision and sometimes you may be asked if
your consultation could be recorded for training purposes. If you do not wish this to
happen please let us know.
Information regarding the CCG and NHS England and details of primary medical services
in the area can be obtained from Western Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group or NHS
England, 1829 Building, Countess of Chester Health Park, Chester, CH2 1HJ, telephone
number 01244 650300.
GENERAL PRACTITIONERS
Dr Helen Black MBChB, DRCOG
Helen was brought up in Edinburgh and attended St Margaret’s School and Edinburgh
University. She spent some time during her training in Newfoundland and Ontario before
returning to Edinburgh for her finals.
After graduating in 1990 she worked for three years as a junior doctor in central Scotland
and Fife before working as a GP Registrar in a busy North Edinburgh practice.
Helen was awarded the Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
in 1993. She joined Bunbury Medical Practice in 1995 and lives with her husband, also a
local GP, and her two sons in Tarporley.
Dr John Berry MBBS, MRCOG, MRCGP
John qualified from King’s College Hospital in London in 1990, he then embarked on
extensive training in gynaecology in addition to the usual requirements for general practice.
He moved to this area over 12 years ago with his wife and their 3 children. John maintains
a special interest in gynaecology. In 2002 he introduced the Mens Health Clinics, which
have proved very successful.
A keen sportsman, his wife banned him from playing rugby because of a recurrent
dislocation of his shoulder and back injuries; as compensation he spends weekends as
medical officer at Harlequins Rugby Club. His sports medicine knowledge is gained from
personal experience!
John is responsible for Clinical Governance and IT within the practice and is medical
officer for the children at Hebden Green School in Winsford. He recently qualified to be a
trainer of prospective GPs.
Dr Nick Dixon
MBChB, MRCGP, DFFP
Nick is originally from Kirkham near Preston. Since graduating from Liverpool Medical
School in 1996, Nick has worked in a number of local hospitals and GP practices. He
joined Hope Farm Medical Centre, Great Sutton in 2006. Nick became a partner at
Bunbury Medical Practice in March 2011.
Nick has lived in Chester since 1998 with his wife Martine, who is also a GP and their son.
He enjoys music, playing the guitar, reading and when time permits snowboarding.
Dr Val Thompson LLB, MBChB, MRCS(part1)
Val originally trained and worked as a solicitor in York and Chelmsford, having graduated
from Southampton University in 1975 with a degree in Law. She subsequently returned to
Liverpool University as a mature student and qualified in medicine in 1996. She trained to
be a GP at Bunbury Practice and in Ellesmere Port. She is married with two sons. She has
a special interest in General Surgery having originally begun surgical training and works
one day a week in the Breast Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Sport is also a passion and she plays squash, tennis and golf, aiming to do some sport most
nights of the week.
Practice Nurse Team
We have 3 part-time practice nurses who assist the Doctors and advise on a variety of
health problems. They also run clinics for chronic diseases, baby immunisations, general
health promotion and travel advice.
Steph Burrows
Barbara Lovelady
Sharon McKenzie
SRN
SRN
SRN
A Health Care Assistant and Phlebotomist are available every morning.
Linda Harding
HCA
Bernadette Langley Phlebotomist
THE PRACTICE TEAM
The Practice Manager is responsible for the day to day management of the practice. She is
supported by an excellent administrative team consisting of a Reception Manager and 4
receptionists, and 2 part time Secretaries.
The Dispensary is very busy and run efficiently by an experienced team consisting of 7 part
time dispensers and 2 assistants.
We provide the service of trained counsellors who are attached to the practice; one of them
mentors additional counsellsors who are gaining experience.
The practice also has a Medicines Manager who assists the GPs in improving efficiency of
medicine management, increase patient safety and reduce waste.
Community Nursing Team
01829 733193
District Nurses provide nursing support in the community. This includes care of the
chronically sick and terminally ill housebound patients as well as care during periods of ill
health and after operations.
Health Visitor
07525 969258
The Health Visitor has responsibilities to new mothers and their babies, offering advice on
child development and care
Midwives
01244 365166 – Chester
01606 551311 – Crewe
The midwives run weekly clinics at the surgery for both Countess of Chester and Leighton
Hospital. They are responsible for the care of our expectant mothers during their
pregnancy and up to and just after the birth.
There is also a community podiatrist and dietician who attend the surgery on a regular
basis.
Out of Hours Care
If you require urgent medical attention when the surgery is closed, please phone 01829
260218 and you will be transferred through to the Out of Hours service. You will then be
triaged by a trained nurse to allow the most appropriate course of action to be taken. If
necessary, you may be invited to attend an Out of Hours clinic at either Chester or
Tarporley depending on the need of the individual.
Extended Hours
This is a new service for patients who find it difficult to attend the surgery during our core
hours. The service is available in various centres around the area and between them they
are open Monday – Friday evening and Saturday morning. Appointments may be made by
phoning 01244 385422.
Dispensing
We are currently able to dispense (put up medication) to all our patients who live one mile
or more from their closest chemist shop. These patients can pick up their medication after
seeing the doctor. If the dispensary is busy there may be a short wait and occasionally we
have to order in some specific medication that we do not keep in stock. Patients are able to
order their repeat prescriptions either by:
Phoning the freephone telephone number 0800 169 4007 between 9.00a.m. and
12.30 p.m
e-mailing on bunbury.dispensary@nhs.net
fax on 01829 260411
in person between 8.00a.m. and 6.30p.m. Monday to Friday (or left in the letter
box by the gate during weekends)
Please allow 48 hours from ordering your repeat prescription to collection.
For urgent repeat medication when the GP practice is closed you can present at any
pharmacy with an empty box or repeat medication slip and they will provide you with an
emergency supply to cover you for 3 days. They will normally charge you the cost of the
drug or NHS prescription charge for this service.
Nurse Clinics
The practice nursing team run a full and comprehensive service including a Triage service
which operates between 8.30a.m. and 10.30a.m. daily. If you require medical advice or a
same day appointment or a home visit, please ring the surgery phone number 01829 260218
where you will be asked for certain details and the triage nurse will phone you back. In
addition to the chronic disease clinics the nursing team provides phlebotomy services,
holiday vaccination clinic, child immunizations, flu vaccination clinics, womens’ health
services, BP checks and many more. We are also a registered Yellow Fever centre.
Surgery Opening Hours
The surgery is open between 8.00a.m. and 6.30p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding bank
holidays). The surgery does close for one afternoon per month for staff training, this is
advertised in advance, on the notice board, in the practice information book in reception
and in newsletters. All consultations for the doctors and nurses are by appointment.
Appointments may be booked 4 weeks in advance. If you require an emergency
appointment for the same day, you will be triaged by a practice nurse and offered an
appointment or advice. This emergency appointment may not be with the GP of your
choice.
To make an appointment to see a clinician in surgery or to have a telephone consultation
with a clinician, please ring 01829 260218. If you wish to see a particular GP, it is
advisable to book your appointment as far in advance as possible.
8.00 – 9.30
8.30 – 10.30
8.30 – 11.30
11.00 – 12.30
15.00 – 17.30
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Phlebotomy
Triage
Dr Black
Dr Berry
Dr Dixon
HCA
Practice Nurse
Dr Black
Dr Berry
Phlebotomy
Triage
Dr Berry
Dr Dixon
Practice Nurse
HCA
Practice Nurse
Dr Black
Dr Dixon
Practice Nurse
Phlebotomy
Triage
Dr Berry
Dr Thompson
HCA
Phlebotomist
Practice Nurse
Dr Berry
Dr Thompson
Dr Dixon
Practice Nurse
Phlebotomy
Triage
Dr Black
Dr Dixon
Practice nurse
Health care asst
Practice Nurse
Dr Berry
Dr Dixon
Practice Nurse
Phlebotomy
Triage
Dr Black/Berry
(as per rota)
Dr Thompson
Phlebotomist
Practice Nurse
Dr Black/Berry
Dr Thompson
Practice Nurse
How to Register with the Practice
If you live within the practice area – see map below, you may register with the practice, the
reception staff will advise if you are unsure. You will be asked to complete a couple of
forms and attend for a New Patient Check. It takes a few weeks for your medical records to
arrive at the surgery, so any information we have on you during this period will help the
clinicians manage your health needs.
BUNBURY VILLAGE
BUNBURY MEDICAL
PRACTICE
NAG’S
HEAD
To A51
CO-OP
CHIP
SHOP
Complaints Procedure
We endeavour at all times to give our patients the best possible service. If at any time you
feel you have cause to complain about any aspect of our service, please speak directly to
the Practice Manager, alternatively you may wish to write in.
Initially a complaint will be dealt with informally, as we take all complaints seriously, we
will respond within three working days. Should we need to make a more complex
investigation this may take longer, we will always keep you informed of progress. You
may be invited to attend an informal meeting to discuss the matter and you may wish to
bring someone to accompany you. Wherever possible we will provide you with an
explanation and details of any course of action which may be required.
To view our full Complaints Procedure please see our website:
www.bunburymedicalcentre.gpsurgery.net
Patient Equipment Fund
Initially set up using bequests and donations to provide loan equipment for patients, this has
now become a charitable trust. The Trust is managed by 3 trustees with a committee of
dedicated ‘friends’ of the practice who actively fund raise on the Trust’s behalf. There is
now a number of items available for short term loan to act as interim help. For more
information please contact the reception.
Patient Participation Group
As part of the changes to a GP’s role in the NHS and the desire to involve patients more in
what services are provided locally, we are still looking for patients to volunteer to join our
patient participation group. We have a small group who have met a few times over the last
12 months and their input has been extremely beneficial to the practice. The involvement
will not be onerous, and hopefully you will find the participation enjoyable and worthwhile.
If you would like to find out more of what is involved, please:
1. Ask at reception for an information sheet
2. E-mail the practice bunbury.medicalcentre@nhs.net requesting information
3. Please visit our website www.bunburymedicalcentre.gpsurgery.net for further
information
THE PRACTICE CHARTER
GP Responsibilities
You will be treated with respect and courtesy and all matters pertaining to your medical
care will be treated confidentially.
You will be able to see a doctor within 2 working days and a nurse within 24 hours. Please
remember that two of the doctors are part time and therefore less available.
If you have an acute problem you will be triaged by one of our clinical team who will
manage your problem accordingly. If you need to be seen by a doctor it may not be one of
your choice.
We will endeavour to see you at your appointment time. However some patients may
present with more complex problems which may result in delays. We will offer an
explanation if delays occur.
If a surgery has to be cancelled we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you an
alternative appointment.
Where possible we will try to answer the telephone within six rings.
We will visit you at home if we consider you are too ill or infirm to attend the surgery.
We consider you are a partner in your care and management and all aspects of it will be
explained to you including any medication which is prescribed for you.
Repeat prescriptions will be ready within 48 hours.
We will not discriminate on grounds of race, gender, social class, sexual orientation or
appearance.
We will not discriminate on grounds of disability or medical condition.
We will keep accurate medical records.
Patients Responsibilities
We ask that you treat the doctors and all the staff with the same respect and courtesy.
Any patients demonstrating violence or abuse towards any member of the practice team
will be asked to leave the practice list with immediate effect and the incident reported to the
police and Primary Care Trust.
All doctors have time off for study, outside commitments and annual leave, and may not
always be available.
Please try to ring before 10.30a.m. for an appointment. We realize this may not be possible
in an emergency situation.
Please try to be punctual. Remember that a 10 minute appointment is for one person only.
If we are running late, please be patient, on another occasion it may be you who needs the
extra time.
Please keep your appointment. If for any reason you are unable to attend, please let us
know as soon as possible, so that we may offer it to someone else.
Please remember that between 8.00a.m. and 11.00a.m. is our busiest time of the day.
Please keep calls brief and make routine calls for results of tests and other non urgent
requests after 11.00a.m.
Please do not request a home visit unless it is absolutely necessary. We appreciate requests
before 10.00a.m. Home visits consume a large amount of the doctor’s time and
examination facilities are better at the surgery. Lack of personal transport is not considered
a valid reason for a home visit.
You have a responsibility in the care and management we offer. It may not always be
appropriate for you to have a prescription.
Please ensure you tick all the items you require on the repeat slip for your medication.
It is advisable to ring the dispensary regarding non repeat medication to check if it is ready
for collection before making the trip to the surgery.
Please inform us of any changes in your circumstances, for example change of address or
telephone number.
Your information and the NHS
Your doctor and other health care professionals caring for you make notes about any
diagnosis, test results and treatments including prescriptions. Also sometimes about other
services you receive from the National Health Service.
These notes ensure you receive the best possible healthcare from us. Receptionists,
secretaries and other staff need access to some of your records in order to complete
administrative tasks, such as booking appointments and filing. These records are now
saved in electronic form on our computer system but your older paper records are kept in
our secure filing area.
The records may include:
Basic details about you, such as your address and next of kin
Contacts we have had with you, such as surgery visits
Information about your health, treatment and care
Investigation results, such as blood tests and x-rays
Relevant information from relatives or those who care for you
(Only if you agree will your relatives, friends and carers be kept up to date with the
progress of your treatment.)
How we keep your Records Confidential
Everyone working in the NHS or anyone receiving information from us has a legal
duty to keep information about you confidential.
You may be receiving care from other people as well as the NHS, such as the Social
Services. To give you the best care we may need to share some of the information we have
about you. We only ever pass on information about you if others involved in your care have
genuine need for it. We will not disclose your information to any third parties without your
permission unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as when the health and safety
of others is at risk.
In some circumstances, you may wish for elements of your record to be kept completely
confidential. However, you need to be aware that the information is not likely to remain
hidden when the record is transferred to another system, either electronically or via paper
transfer if you were to transfer to another practice.
We are required by law to report certain information to the appropriate authorities,
such as the following:
Notification of new births
Infectious diseases which may endanger the safety of others, such as meningitis or
measles (but not HIV/AIDS)
If a formal court order has been issued
The law strictly controls the sharing of some types of very sensitive personal
information.
Data Protection Act 1998
Human Rights Act 1998
Computer Misuse Act 1990
The Caldicott Guidelines specifically for the NHS.
We are continually reviewing the ways in which confidentiality improvements can be made
and it is important for us to know and understand the views of patients and users of the
service we offer, including carers.
If at any time you would like to know more about how we use your information you can
speak to the person in charge of your care, the Caldicott Guardian for the practice or visit
the web site www.dh.gov.uk
Access to Health Records
The Data Protection Act 1998 which came into force in March 2000, allows you to find out
what information is held about you on computer and in certain manual records. This is
known as the right of subject access and applies to your health records. You are entitled to
receive a copy of your medical record but a charge for this is usually made. If you wish to
view or receive copies of your medical records, please contact the Practice Manager.
We may use some of your information about you and your health for other reasons
For example, to help us to protect the health of the general public generally, to plan services
for the future, and to carry out medical and other health research for the benefit of
everyone. We are currently involved in research studies for which we provide anonymised
information from patients’ notes. You cannot be identified in any way from this
information as none of your personal details are given to the researchers who have access
only to anonymous medical records. Many of these studies provide vital information to
medical staff on diseases, the use of drugs or outcomes of disease or treatment.
If at any time you would like to know more, have any concerns about how we use your
information or would like to opt out of the data collection scheme, , you can speak to the
Administrator, Liz Guest, Bunbury Medical Practice , Telephone number: 01829 260218
MINOR AILMENTS
Coughs & Colds
These usually start with a runny nose, cough, temperature and aches. They are caused by
viruses and antibiotics are of NO use. If treatment is necessary, take recommended doses
of Paracetamol for the temperature and aches (do not give Aspirin to children under 12
years of age) and drink plenty of fluids. Do not worry if you (or your child) do not eat for a
few days. You will come to no harm providing you drink plenty of fluids.
Decongestants and cough linctuses do not work, so it is probably better to save your
money!
Frequent sips of water often help ease a tickly cough.
Sore Throats
70% of sore throats are due to viruses and therefore will not respond to antibiotics. There is
no scientific evidence that giving antibiotics to the remaining 30% of throats, which may be
due to bacterial infection, is of any substantial benefit. There is no way of assessing by
looking at a sore throat, whether it is due to bacterial (which is sensitive to an antibiotic) or
viral (which is not sensitive to an antibiotic). Certainly if there are cold symptoms with the
sore throat then the sore throat is viral.
Temperatures
A fever in itself is not “a disease”, it is one of the natural responses of the body to infection.
The vast majority of such infections are due to viruses and the only treatment for this is to
take Paracetamol (which lowers the temperature) and to keep cool (not cold). It is
important not to warm yourself up even though you may be shivering with a temperature.
The shivering is due to the body’s thermostat being reset. Warming yourself up will merely
make your temperature worse and make the shivering attacks worse.
Children can quickly produce high temperatures with viral illnesses. Removal of
unnecessary clothing and bed linen, tepid sponging and Paracetamol, if necessary, are often
all that is required in treating temperatures in children.
A child with a temperature will not come to any harm if brought in to the surgery for
examination. In fact they often benefit from the cooling effect of the outside air.
Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
In adults and children diarrhoea and vomiting will usually get better on its own. Treatment
consists of replacing the fluids you have lost and resting the tummy and not having
anything to eat for 24 hours. It is important to drink plenty of fluids, preferably Dioralyte
or dilute fruit juice to avoid dehydration.
Even when vomiting, by drinking small frequent sips of fluid every few minutes, more is
usually kept down than is brought back up.
Generally speaking anti-diarrhoeals are of no great benefit. It is worth remembering that
diarrhoea and vomiting is natures way of getting rid of bugs (usually viruses) that have
caused the gastroenteritis.
If the diarrhoea contains blood or there is severe abdominal pain or high fever you should
discuss this with the triage nurse or doctor.
Diarrhoea and vomiting in small babies and young children should be treated with caution
and the triage nurse or doctor will be happy to advise you about this over the telephone and
arrange to see you if necessary. Again eating is not important but drinking small amounts
of fluids often is.
Backache
Many acute sprains and strains will respond to Paracetamol and regular exercise. The best
form of exercise is walking and swimming and the latest evidence suggests that bed rest
particularly for more than 48 hours can lead to problems with chronic pain. Pain radiating
down your leg can suggest sciatica and you should see your doctor about this. Simple low
back pain however is common and medical advice not necessary assuming the pain settles
over a week or so.
Earache
This is usually caused by an infection in the middle part of the ear usually in children and
often following colds. Although antibiotics are commonly prescribed initial treatment is
for pain relief and temperature control using Paracetamol in doses recommended on the
manufacturers labels. Often this treatment is all that is required and the child may well
improve in a few hours. If this does not happen either the triage nurse or a doctor will be
happy to advise you further.
Burns & Scalds
Remove the heat source from the skin as soon as possible as this is the most important
factor in any form of burn injury. Apply large quantities of cold water as soon as possible
for up to 15 minutes if necessary to cool the area. If there is any blistering please telephone
the surgery and speak with either the triage nurse or doctor who will probably ask you to
come in so we can assess if any treatment is necessary.
Sunburn
You should never get sunburnt. Sunlight causes skin cancers and prematurely ages the
skin. This is particularly important to children as 90% of our total exposure to sunlight
occurs below the age of 10. It is important to wear tightly woven clothes and use high SPF
sun blocks.
Despite this, should you become sunburnt then calamine lotion can be helpful in reducing
the discomfort.
Ultraviolet sun beds can also lead to an increase in the incidence of skin cancer and
premature aging of the skin and should be avoided.
Cuts & Grazes
Skin wounds can occur at any time – either clean cuts which tend to bleed a lot and can be
quite deep or grazes which are usually dirty and superficial. Initial treatment therefore
depends on the type of wound. Direct pressure to control bleeding, cleaning with water or
antiseptic if dirty and an application of a clean dressing to protect the wound from further
damage is usually all that is needed.
Should the bleeding continue or the wound is particularly deep then stitching might be
necessary in which case telephone the surgery for advice.
Nosebleeds
These usually settle with pressure by pinching the bridge of the nose. If the bleeding is
severe or will not stop with pressure then telephone the surgery for further advice.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Bunbury Medical Practice
Bunbury Medical Practice – Repeat prescriptions
Bunbury Medical Practice - Fax
01829 260218
0800 1694007
01829 260411
Countess of Chester Hospital
Leighton Hospital
Tarporley Hospital
01244365000
01270 255141
01829 732436
District Nurses
Community Midwife - Chester
Crewe
Health Visitor
Emergency Poison Control Unit
Out of Hours
Extended Hours
Western Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
NHS England Area Team
01829 733193
01244 365166
01606 551311
07525 969258
0870 6006266
01829 260218
01244 364700
01244 650300
01138 253530