Welcome to the My Surgery Leaflet Demo
Welcome to The Northland Surgery
We hope to use our surgery leaflet as a way of presenting all our
patients with an up to date resource for all information relating to our practice. We will keep it
current with any news, developments & details that are relevant to the practice & our patients.
Have a look around our leaflet and please do send us some feedback. We can use your
thoughts to improve our online services & further develop the leaflet to make it a more useful,
practical application for our patients.
The Northland Surgery medical practice has been in existence since the advent of the National
Health Service in 1948. Since then its format has changed greatly. Having commenced at 30
Northland Row, Dungannon, as a two Doctor practice with one receptionist and one Practice
Nurse, it had by 1989 expanded to a four group practice with an associated increase in nursing
and clerical staff.
To cope with this expansion and the demands of a changing service in a modern health care
system, the Doctors proceeded to build a new purpose-built surgery at our present address.
During these six decades of existence, patient care has been provided by many dedicated
Doctors, Nurses and clerical staff, well known to most of our patients. However the new
millennium has witnessed a population change in the Dungannon area with a much wider ethnic
variation than ever before. This in itself has impacted on the Practice which is now evolving to
cater for the changing needs of all its patients in the years that lie ahead.
Practice Address and Contact Details
The main surgery telephone number is 028 87 722137.
Repeat Prescription tel no: 028 87 729749 - This line is open for repeat prescriptions only
between 9 -11 a.m and 2 -4 pm Monday to Friday.
The Practice Manager's telephone number is 028 87 729592.
The Practice fax number is 028 87 727696.
The Northland Surgery
The Northland Surgery
79 Cunninghams Lane
Dungannon
BT71 6BX
Telephone:
028 87 722137
Fax:
028 87 727696
Web
http://www.thenorthlandsurgery.co.uk
Appointments
Appointments and Opening Times
SEEING THE DOCTOR
The consultation times are as follows:
Monday to Friday - 9:00-11:00am and 3:00 - 5:00pm
The Doctor can only be seen by appointment, which can be made with the receptionist, either
by calling at the surgery or by telephoning: (028) 87 722137. Please make one appointment per
patient – delays are caused for everyone if two patients are seen in one appointment.
Cancellations – it is essential that you telephone reception if you cannot keep your
appointment. Even at short notice, we can usually allocate your appointment to someone else.
Appointments are for ten minutes although some patients’ problems take longer than
others, so please be patient if there is some delay. If you feel you will need a longer
appointment than usual, please let the receptionist know and we will try to make provision for
this.
URGENT APPOINTMENTS
If you have an urgent problem, although you will be able to see a Doctor/Nurse the same day, it
will be the first Doctor/Nurse available and may not be your usual clinician. An urgent
appointment is only to deal with the immediate problem. Please do not bring up other unrelated
problems during this appointment. The receptionist will ask you for some brief details about the
complaint as sometimes the Doctor/Nurse may decide your problem can be dealt with by
telephone advice.
Opening Hours
Monday
08:30 to 18:00
Tuesday
08:30 to 18:00
Wednesday 08:30 to 18:00
Thursday
08:30 to 18:00
Friday
08:30 to 18:00
Prescriptions
Repeat Prescription
For all repeat prescriptions telephone: (028)
87 729749
This line is open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 11.00am & 2.00pm – 4.00pm.
Requests for repeat prescriptions can be made in person at the reception desk, by enclosing a
stamped, addressed envelope or by telephoning: (028) 87 729749 at the times specified above.
The Practice requires 48 hours notice to process your request for repeat medication whether
ordered by telephone, by letter or in person. Please ensure you order your repeat prescription
well in advance of running out of your medication to ensure treatment is continuous. It is
important to use the repeat prescription telephone number for repeat prescriptions only.
Requests for non repeat prescriptions for minor ailments/appointments/results etc must
be done by telephoning the main surgery number: (028) 87 722137.
Acute Prescriptions
Acute prescriptions can be ordered during surgery opening hours either by ringing: (028) 87
722137 or in person at the reception desk. When ordering an acute prescription (for items such
as an antibiotic, cream etc) please remember to give the receptionist the following details: Your
name, address and DOB, what your symptoms are, how long you have had these symptoms, if
you have any allergies and if you have already had something for these symptoms. If an acute
prescription is ordered after 11.00am, the prescription will not be ready for collection
until after 5.30 pm (the same day). Patients can collect acute/repeat prescriptions at the
reception desk or request that the prescription be sent to a particular pharmacy. Patients must
indicate this request at the time of ordering their prescription and it should be noted that this is
an agreement between the patient and the chemist. The Practice cannot guarantee when
prescriptions will be collected by various chemists. Prescriptions will only be given out
to chemists when they are signed by a GP.
Please allow 48 hours, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, for your request to be
processed. Any problems please telephone the surgery.
Staff Details
Practice Staff
Doctors
Dr C.J Sands
MB BCh BAO DCH FPCert (Queens Belfast 1984)
Special Interests - Women's Health and Paediatrics
Dr A.W.E
Church
MB BCh BAO DRCOG DGM MRCGP (Queens Belfast 1985) DoccMed.
Special Interests - Minor Surgery, Respiratory Medicine & Occupational
Health
Dr M.R.
Thompson
MB BCh BAO DRCOG MRCGP (Queens Belfast 1985) DoccMed.
Special Interests - Minor Surgery, Diabetes & Occupational Health
Dr J.A. Paisley
MB BCh BAO MRCGP DGM DRCOG (Queens Belfast 1988)
Special Interests - Women's Health and Paediatrics
Nurse
Practitioners
Specialist
Nurses
Nurses
Our Practice Nurses aim to provide you with an efficient, quality service in
a caring and helpful manner. Our Practice Nurses operate an
appointment system that incorporates appointments for dealing with
wounds and dressings, ear syringing, suture removal, advice on minor
ailments, travel and childhood immunisations, health promotion together
with numerous specialised clinics. For details of when these and other
specialised clinics are being held, please contact any member of
reception, who will be happy to advise you.
Mrs Laurene
Patterson
Mrs Pat
Campbell
Mrs Leanne
McAree
Health
Practitioners
Healthcare
Assistants
Phlebotomists
Our Phlebotomists operate an appointment system. The role of our
Phlebotomists is to take blood samples from patients. Our Phlebotomists
are fully trained and you can make an appointment with them by
contacting reception.
Mrs Mary
McCann
Mrs Anne
Mackle
Practice
Management
Mrs Anita
McCreesh
Practice Manager
Our Practice Manager is responsible for the management and
administration of the Practice and all non-clinical aspects of your
healthcare. If you have queries, comments or suggestions about the
services offered by the Practice, she will be happy to discuss these with
you. The Practice Manager can be contacted by telephoning the main
surgery number or by ringing (028) 87 729592 between 8.30 a.m and
3.30 p.m. Please do not leave messages on this line.
Miss Caroline
Hazelton
Assistant to the Practice Manager
In the absence of our Practice Manager, any queries comments or
suggestions can be directed to the Practice Manager’s Assistant.
Administration
The reception/administration staff assists in the efficient day to day
running of the Practice and support the services we provide. When you
telephone the surgery the receptionists will ask you for a few details.
They have been trained to make these enquiries so that we can help you
in the most appropriate way. Strict confidentiality is maintained by all staff
on any matter relating to the health of our patients. Reception staff are
here to help you, but the job is very demanding and they are often very
busy so please be patient.
Reception
Pharmacists
Community
Midwives
The Practice has two Midwives from the community midwifery service
attached specifically to the surgery although they are based at South
Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon. These midwives hold an antenatal clinic
every Friday at the surgery. The role of the Midwives is to make contact
with every known pregnant woman and to offer information on the
midwifery services available. They will carry out antenatal and postnatal
home visiting to mother and baby in accordance with the midwifery policy
of the Southern Health & Social Services Board. A Midwife can be
contacted during the day (Monday to Friday) by telephoning (028) 87
722821.
Community
Nurses
The District Nursing team provide skilled nursing care in the patient’s
own home and advise carers. They assess needs, give information and
counselling and carry out appropriate nursing care to patients who are
housebound. The District Nurses are based at South Tyrone Hospital,
Carland Road, Dungannon. A District Nurse can be contacted during the
day (Monday to Friday) by telephoning (028) 87 722821.
Health Visitors
The Health Visitor is qualified in nursing and midwifery and has also been
specially trained to give health advice on matters relating to family and
child health. She assesses children’s development and also
undertakes health promotion within the Practice. The Health Visitor is
based at South Tyrone Hospital, Carland Road, Dungannon. The Health
Visitor can be contacted during the day (Monday to Friday) by
telephoning (028) 87 722821.
Counsellors
Dispensers
Macmillan
Nurses
Attached Staff
Clinics & Services
Clinics and Services
Asthma Management Clinic
This clinic is held by Sr Laurene Patterson/Sr L McAree. Patients both adults and children, are
seen at this clinic for appropriate education, advice and supervision of treatment. An
appointment for this clinic can be made by contacting reception.
Minor Surgery
Dr Church and Dr Thompson run these clinics with assistance from the Practice Nurses. Many
minor surgical procedures such as removal of cysts and skin lesions and joint injections can be
carried out quickly and comfortably under local anaesthesia at this clinic. Appointments are by
referral from your Doctor. Treatment of warts is carried out by both Dr Church and Dr
Thompson.
Well Woman Clinic
Well woman clinics are held weekly by Dr Sands and Dr Paisley by appointment. Cervical
screening is offered to all female patients (aged 20 – 65 years) at three yearly intervals or
earlier if necessary. Cervical smears are also carried out every week by our Practice Nurses, Sr
L Patterson and Sr L McAree. An appointment can be made for the same by contacting
reception. Patients will be written to, informing them of the result of their smear and advising
them when they should make their next appointment.
Hypertension Clinic
A hypertension clinic is held on a weekly basis at the surgery and is conducted by one of our
Practice Nurses, Sr Pat Campbell.The aim of this clinic is to review all patients who suffer from
the condition of high blood pressure and are on continuous treatment.
Coronary Heart Disease Clinic
This clinic is held on a weekly basis at the surgery and is conducted by one of our Practice
Nurses, Sr Pat Campbell.The aim of this clinic is to review all patients who suffer from coronary
heart disease. An appointment for the same can be made by contacting reception.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A COPD clinic is held weekly in the surgery by Sr Laurene Patterson/Sr L McAree. The aim of
this clinic is to assess the respiratory function of patients with chronic airways disease in order
to maximise their treatment and improve their quality of life.
Diabetic Clinic
A diabetic clinic is held twice monthly in the surgery by Dr Thompson in association with the
Podiatrist and the Dietician. This clinic is aimed at reviewing patients with type two diabetes who
do not attend the hospital for review. Patients are referred to this clinic to obtain appropriate
education and advice, to help maximise their effective control and reduce the risks of any
complication with diabetes. One of our Practice Nurses, Sr Pat Campbell is also available to
give patients advice if required. Annual retinopathy screening is also offered to all diabetic
patients.
Near-Patient Testing
The treatment of several diseases, particularly in the field of rheumatology, is increasingly
reliant on drugs that, while clinically effective, need regular blood monitoring. These blood tests
will be carried out by our Phlebotomist upon referral from your Doctor.
Anti-Coagulation Monitoring
For the care of patients taking Warfarin, our Phlebotomist will carry out the relevant blood tests
at the instruction of the Doctor.
Adult Vaccinations
Tetanus and Polio - all adults should ensure they are adequately immunised against tetanus
and polio.
Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccine – in accordance with the Department of Health
guidelines, we recommend that patients in the clinical risk categories outlined below obtain the
influenza and pneumococcal vaccination:
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Chronic respiratory disease
Chronic heart disease
Chronic renal disease
Chronic liver disease
Chronic neurological disease
Diabetes Mellitus
Immunosuppression
Patients with cochlear implants and patients with CSF shunts are also advised to obtain the
pneumococcal vaccination.
All patients aged sixty five years and over are eligible for the influenza vacination.
Patients who are in nursing homes, residential homes and other long stay facilities are also
eligible to receive the influenza vaccination.
This vaccination is available to patients each autumn. Please contact Caroline at reception for
further details.
Travel Clinic
The practice holds a weekly travel clinic (subject to demand) conducted by one of our Practice
Nurses. If you are travelling abroad, it is important that you obtain a travel vaccine information
leaflet from our Practice Nurses well in advance of your journey, ideally this should be three
months before you travel. This leaflet will give you detailed information in order to obtain the
correct travel information and vaccination details you require in relation to your time abroad.
Childhood Vaccinations
From the summer of 2006, the proposed new vaccination schedule will be:
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2 months - DTaP/IPV/HIB & pneumococcal vaccine
3 months - DTaP/IPV/HIB & Men C vaccine
4 months - DTaP/IPV/HIB & Men C & pneumococcal vaccine
12 months - HIB/Men C booster
15 months - MMR & booster of pneumococcal vaccine
Pre-school - DTaP/IPV/HIB/MMR
Baby and childhood vaccinations are carried out every week by the Practice. When these
vaccinations are due you will be sent an appointment by post. If the appointment does not suit,
please contact Rebecca or one of our Practice Nurses (Tel: 028 87722137) who will be happy
to arrange an alternative appointment for your child to attend.
Maternity Care
Antenatal and postnatal care is provided by all doctors in the Practice. The Practice also holds
an antenatal clinic every Friday in the surgery which is led by Midwives. An appointment for this
clinic can be made by contacting reception.
Family Planning
The Practice offers general advice regarding family planning and contraceptive services. .
Minor Illnesses
Sore Throats
Most sore throats are caused by a virus infection which antibiotics cannot
cure. With simple treatment the patient normally gets better in four or five
days. Tonsillitis usually starts with a sore throat, which causes pain on
swallowing. There may be a fever, it might be possible to see white spots
on the tonsils and glands in the neck may be swollen and painful. A hoarse
voice, dry cough and sore throat indicates a viral laryngitis.
TREATMENT
Adults: Use regular Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Drink plenty of fluids and
take steam inhalations.
Children: Paracetamol liquid (Calpol or Disprol) plenty of drinks.Make an
appointment to see the doctor if the sore throat is getting worse after two
days, or if the patient complains of earache.
Feverish Child
Children often develop feverish illnesses, which settle spontaneously in 2448 hours.
TREATMENT
Give paracetamol (Calpol, Disprol) liquid. Remove child’s clothing and
offer regular sips of cool water. Sponging with tepid water may also help to
reduce the temperature. Do not give aspirin to children under 12. Make an appointment to see
the doctor if the temperature does not fall after a paracetamol (although it may rise again later)
or if the child becomes drowsy or obviously unwell.
Stuffy or Runny Nose
The common cold usually starts with a hot feeling in the back of the throat.
The patient feels unwell and aches, and the nose starts running with a
clear liquid which becomes a thick yellow discharge after three to four
days. ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT HELP.
TREATMENT
As for sore throat. Babies and young children often have repeated colds.
This helps them build up their resistance to infection. They cough because of the discharge
running from the nose down the back of the throat. Do not give cough linctus. Try normal saline
nose drops, two drops in each nostril before bed.
Coughs
If dust or food enters the air passages, coughing acts as a protector. It also prevents mucus
from causing infection on the chest. To suppress this action with cough mixtures can cause
more harm than good.
TREATMENT
For dry coughs a linctus can be bought from the chemist. Make an appointment to see the
doctor if coughing continues for more than a week or two after a common cold has cleared up, if
coughing produces a yellow or green sputum – it may mean the lower air passages are
infected, if breathing is accompanied by a pain in the chest or shortness of breath, or if coughing
produces blood.
Vomiting
Vomiting may be caused by a virus infection of the stomach, food poisoning and by eating or
drinking too much. It normally stops within 24 hours and may be followed by diarrhoea. Some
children will vomit when they have a temperature.
TREATMENT
Rest. Eat nothing for 24 hours. Drink small sips of water regularly. As the stomach settles try
bread or clear soup before gradually returning to a normal diet. Children and Infants: Try
Dioralyte sachets made up with cooled boiled water to replace body fluids. Make an
appointment to see the doctor if vomiting is accompanied by continuous stomach pain, if
vomiting lasts for longer than 24 hours, or if a vomiting child has a temperature of more than
38C (100F).
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is unpleasant but rarely dangerous. It may be due to change of diet, food poisoning or
travel abroad. It is often accompanied by colicky (cramp-like) pains and usually begins to get
better in 48 hours.
TREATMENT
As for vomiting (see above). Make an appointment to see the doctor if it does not start to settle
after 48 hours, if an attack comes shortly after a visit abroad, or if there is continuous pain or
blood.
If you are unsure about these or any other medical matters feel free to contact your
doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Patient Registration
The Practice List is currently closed and will re-open in March 2009. The Practice can still
register first degree relatives or new babies of families already registered with the Practice.
When the Practice List re-opens an application for inclusion on the list of patients shall be made
by delivering to the Practice either a medical card or a completed HS22X/HS200 form (if a
medical card is not available). These forms are available at reception.
As part of the registration process, you will be asked to make a new patient appointment with a
GP/Practice Nurse. You will be given a new patient questionnaire to complete which you should
bring back completed on the day of your appointment. This questionnaire is confidential and is
used to identify any previous/current medical history/conditions that you may have. The Practice
Nurse will assist you if you are unsure about any of the questions.
Change of Address or Telephone Number
Please let us know as soon as possible if your address/ telephone/mobile number changes.
You may use the online form below to notify us of your change of details. The form will open in a
new window. Fill out the details and press the Send button.
Please Note!
If you are changing your contact details because you have recently married, the Practice
requires a copy of your marriage certificate. This can be posted into the Practice or can be
photo-copied for you on presentation at the Practice.
Change of Address Form
If you don't wish to use the online form then please call/telephone reception with your new
details.
The Practice requests that all patients where possible provide both an up to date mobile number
and home telephone number in case of us needing to contact you.
Disabled Access
Our Practice has suitable access for disabled patients.
All the patient areas including the waiting room, the consulting rooms and the toilets, have
wheelchair access.
A hearing loop is in place at the front reception desk.
If you require one, there is a wheelchair available at reception.
There are designated disabled parking spaces which are located beside the front entrance door
to the Practice.
Home Visits
Please do not ask the Doctor to make a home visit if you are well enough to come to the
surgery. When requesting a home visit you should give a complete description of the
patient’s condition so that the Doctor can judge if a home visit is necessary.
Please remember when requesting a home visit to give the patient’s full name, date of birth,
contact telephone number and address of where the patient is at when requesting the visit.
Other than in cases of extreme emergency, all requests for home visits should be made by
telephoning (028) 87 722137 before 11.00am. The receptionist will ask a few details to allow the
Doctor to assess the urgency of your call and help you in the most appropriate way.
Please remember that several patients can be seen at the surgery in the time it takes to make a
home visit.
Practice Charter
As a patient you have the right to
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Be treated as an individual and will be given courtesy and respect at all times.
Respect for religious and cultural beliefs will be honoured.
Be offered a health check on joining the Practice.
Receive health care on the basis of clinical need regardless of ability to pay.
Be given a clear explanation of any treatment proposed, including any visits and any
alternatives, before you decide whether you will agree to treatment.
Have appropriate drugs and medicines prescribed. Be referred to a Consultant
acceptable to you when the GP thinks it is necessary to be referred for a second opinion,
if you and the GP agree this is desirable.
Have access to your medical records, subject to any limitations in the law, and know that
those working for the NHS are under legal duty to keep the contents confidential.
Be given detailed information about local family Doctor services through your Health
Board’s local directory.
Receive a copy of the practice booklet, setting out the services provided.
Receive a full and prompt reply to any complaints about the services provided by the
Practice.
HELP US TO HELP YOU
As a patient of this practice we expect you to:
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Attend for all appointments, on the correct date and at the correct time. If it is not
possible, please inform reception as soon as possible.
Treat the Doctors and practice staff with courtesy.
Make more than one appointment if more than one person needs to be seen.
Be prepared to make further appointments if you have numerous or complicated
problems.
Be patient if appointment times are running late – please remember it may be you who
needs extra time on another occasion.
Ask for a home visit only if illness prevents you attending the surgery – children can
usually be brought safely to the surgery.
Be prepared to see another Doctor in the Practice when your own Doctor is unavailable.
Contact the Doctor out of surgery hours only in the case of an emergency which cannot
wait until the next working day.
You are responsible for your own health and that of your children. Please take the
advice given to you at the Practice.
Let us know immediately if you change your name or address and remember to give
your telephone number and postcode.
The first hour of the morning can be extremely busy. Please keep telephone calls brief. If
possible, leave routine calls until later in the day.
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Please read the rest of the practice booklet to get the best out of the services available.
Plan ahead when ordering repeat prescriptions and always use the dedicated repeat
prescription line telephone number (028) 87 729749 this line is open Monday to Friday
between 9.00am and 11.00am and between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. This number leaves
the other lines free for emergencies, appointments and enquiries.
Carefully follow the treatment prescribed by your Doctor.
If you wish to make constructive comments, suggestions or criticism, please contact the
Practice Manager.
Keeping Healthy
Many illnesses are brought about a poor lifestyle and Doctors often have to advise patients on
changing their habits if they want to become well and remain well. We would recommend that
you attend one of the health promotion clinics and have regular screening tests and blood
pressure checks.
Smoking
Smoking is the cause of many diseases. Smoking in pregnancy affects both mother and baby
and passive smoking has been shown to be harmful to others. There are various methods of
helping people to stop smoking and if you cannot manage it on your own you should seek help
from your Doctor, Practice Nurse or local pharmacy.
Alcohol
Moderate consumption of alcohol should not cause problems but alcohol in excess can be
harmful. The recommended safe limit is 21 units a week for a men and 14 units for women,
spread throughout the week. A unit is approximately one glass of wine, half a pint of beer or a
single measure of spirit.
Exercise
Regular exercise is good for circulation and general wellbeing and is a good habit to maintain
from youth. If you have not exercised recently, do not do anything too strenuous to begin with,
but build up gradually. If in doubt about your fitness have a word with your Doctor or Practice
Nurse before starting.
Diet
Healthy eating helps reduce the risks of developing many conditions such as heart disease,
cancer, constipation, diabetes, obesity and tooth decay. A well balanced diet should contain a
variety of foods with plenty of fruit and vegetables and foods rich in starch and fibre. Eat the
right amount to be a healthy weight and avoid too much fat and sugary food. Further dietary
advice is available from our Practice Nurses.
Family Medicine Chest
Here is a list of useful medicines and dressings with a description of their uses. All are quite
cheap and worth stocking at home in readiness for minor illnesses.
Keep them in a box or cupboard with a lock - or store them well out of the reach of children.
Soluble Aspirin Tablets
Good for headaches, colds, sore throats (gargle with the solution), and pains in general. Aspirin
should NOT be given to children under 16.
Paracetamol Mixture
For relief of pain or fever in young children
Sedative Cough Linctus
For dry or painful coughs - but not coughs caused by common colds.
Menthol Crystals
Add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.
Vapour Rub
Again, for steam inhalations. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub on the
chest and nose.
Ephedrine Nose Drops
For runny noses in children over one year old. Use before meals and at night but not for more
than four days.
Antiseptic Solution
One teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes.
Antiseptic Cream
For treating septic spots, sores in the nose amd grazes.
Calamine Lotion
For dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites, stings and sunburn.
Dressing Strips
For minor cuts.
3" Wide Crepe Bandage
To keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints.
Cotton Wool
For cleaning cuts and grazes.
Thermometer
For fevers.
Tweezers
For removing splinters.
Remember that your local chemist can give you advice about medicines.
Test Results
The Practice Nurses or Phlebotomist will advise you as to when you should contact reception to
obtain your test results for investigations carried out in the surgery.
For confidentiality, information will not be given to another person regarding your results unless
we have your signed consent to do so.
The Practice will notify you should your results from investigations carried out in the surgery be
abnormal. The Practice routinely notifies all patients regarding their cervical cytology results.
Non-English Speakers
In order to obtain a medical card you need to fill in an application form, which is called HS22X.
This form is available in English and in a range of other languages. Please click on the
respective links below to download the form in English and/or in translation.
Click here for an application form for a medical card
English
Portuguese
Polish
Latvian
Czech
Lithuanian
Russian
Slovak
Urdu
Cliceáil anseo i gcomhair foirme iarratais
Irish
Hindi
Chinese
Click here for an application form for a medical card
Bulgarian
Click here for an application form for a medical card
Romanian
Content courtesy of the Central Services Agency, N.Ireland
Complaints & Suggestions
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Our aim is to provide our patients with the best possible care within the resources available to
us and to deal with any problems as quickly and efficiently as possible. Patients wishing to
make constructive or critical comments on the services provided by the Practice should speak to
our Practice Manager, Mrs Anita McCreesh.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
We endeavour to give you the best service possible at all times. However, there may be
occasions when you wish to express dissatisfaction. We operate an informal, in-house
complaints procedure to deal with complaints about the service you have received from the
Doctors or staff working in this Practice.
This procedure does not deal with matters of legal liability or compensation but we hope you will
use it to give us the opportunity to investigate and, if necessary, correct any problems that may
have arisen or mistakes that may have been made. In some cases the in-house procedure is
not an appropriate form of investigation, in which case you will be referred to the appropriate
authority. This procedure does not affect your right to make a formal complaint to the Southern
Health & Social Services Board, if you wish, nor does it affect your right to compensation in law.
Your complaint should be addressed to Mrs Anita McCreesh, Practice Manager, who will ensure
that it is investigated thoroughly and as speedily as possible. Please note that the Practice must
ensure strict adherence to the rule of medical confidentiality. We cannot provide confidential
information without appropriate authority if you are not the patient in question.
In the event of you wishing to make a complaint against the Out of Hours Service (SAUCS),
your complaint should be forwarded in writing directly to:
The Complaints Officer
SAUCS (South Area Urgent Care Services)
Craigavon Area Hospital
68 Lurgan Road
Portadown
Co Armagh
BT63 5QQ
GP Training
Medical students and Nursing students attend the practice from time to time. We hope that you
will co-operate with us and help the students to learn about general practice. However, you will
be informed of their presence in advance, and if you do not want them to be present at a
consultation, your wishes will be respected. This will not affect your treatment in any way.
Travel Information
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with
the Practice Nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and
areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required. There
is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below
Europe & Russia
North America
Central America
South America
Carribean
Africa
Middle East
Central Asia
East Asia
Australasia and Pacific
It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 12 weeks is
advisable before you travel. The reason for this is because some travel vaccinations take a
period of three months to administer.
Further appointments will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the
vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your travel
vaccination schedule needs to be completed at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the
vaccines to work.
Most travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and
above the normal prescription charge. This is because travel vaccination is not included in the
services provided by the NHS and therefore is a chargeable service. Please contact one of our
Practice Nurses who will be happy to advise you of these charges.
Travel Health Questionnaire
To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the
nurse.
Travel Questionnaire
Telephone Advice
If you require to speak to a GP during the working day, the dedicated phone call times are as
outlined below:
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
Dr Paisley
Dr Thompson
- 2.15 p.m - 2.45 p.m (Mondays)**
- 2.15 p.m - 2.45 p.m (Tuesdays)
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Dr Church
Dr Sands
- 2.15 p.m - 2.45 p.m (Wednesdays)
- 2.15 p.m - 2.45 p.m (Thursdays)
Please Note:
** Dr Paisley will be available to take telephone calls as outlined above with the exception of
when she is doing a baby clinic or on leave.
In the event of a patient needing to speak to a GP when a Doctor is on leave, your call will be
directed to the duty Doctor on call for that day if it is an emergency. Please remember that these
are dedicated phone call times. Please be patient as there can be a high volume of calls during
dedicated phone call times. In the event of your needing to speak to the Practice Nurses during
the working day, you may contact them at the times outlined below:
Monday to Friday 12.30 p.m– 1.00p.m or 4.00pm – 4.30pm.
Please note at other times GPs/Practice Nurses may be busy. For this reason staff have been
asked not to disturb consultations with non urgent telephone calls.
Useful Contacts
Hospitals
Antrim Area Hospital
(028)94 424000
Belfast City Hospital
(028)90 329241
Belvoir Park Hospital
(028)90 902000
Craigavon Hospital
(028)38 334444
Mid-Ulster Hospital
(028)79 631031
Musgrave Park Hospital
(028)90 902000
Royal Victoria Hospital
(028)90 240503
South Tyrone Hospital
(028)87 722821
St Lukes Hospital
(028)37 522381
Tyrone & Fermanagh Hospital
(028)82 833100
Ulster Hospital
(028)90 484511
Ulster Independent Clinic
(028)90 661212
Pharmacists
Gordons Chemist, Moy
(028)87 784248
Allen's Chemist, Cookstown
(028)86 763628
Baird's Chemist, Dungannon
(028)87 722761
Boots the Square, Dungannon
(028)87 723193
Boots the Oaks, Dungannon
(028)87 726626
Boots, Cookstown
(028)86 766548
Dolan's, Dungannon
(028)87 722079
Paul Donaghy's, Dungannon
(028)87 722768
Dorman's, Coalisland
(028)87 747180
Gordons, Dungannon
(028)87 722430
Gordon's, Cookstown
(028)86 762223
McNaneys, Dungannon
(028)87 722258
Medicare, Dungannon
(028)87 724722
O'Neills, Coalisland
(028)87 740332
O'Neills, Ballygawley
(028)85 568217
McKeevers, Moy
(028)87 784278
Other Useful Numbers
Accord (Marriage Counselling)
(028)38 334781
Action Cancer
(028)90 803344
Age Concern, Dungannon
(028)87 752383
Alcoholics Anonymous
(028)90 434848
Breakthru (Drugs Awareness)
(028)87 753228
Care in Crisis
(028)38 329900
Central Services Agency (CSA)
(028)90 324431
Childline
0800 11 11
Cruse, Belfast
(028)90 792419
Cruse, Moy
(028)87 784004
Disability Action
(028)87 752372
Family Planning Clinic
(028)87 723101
Housing Executive, Dungannon
0844 8920900
PSNI, Dungannon
(028)87 752525
Registrar of Deaths & Births
(028)87 720329
Relate, Belfast
(028)90 323454
Samaritans
0845 7909090
Social Service Offices, Dungannon
(028)87 754754
Southern Area Hospice, St John of Gods, Newry
(028)30 267711
South Health & Social Services Council
(028)38 349900
Sure Start, Dungannon
(028)87 729695
Emergencies
For emergencies during surgery hours telephone (028) 87 722137. Between 8.30am and
6.00pm, urgent requests will be given prompt attention by the receptionists and the Doctor on
Call informed. It will be necessary for the receptionist to ask some details regarding the
condition of the patient so that the Doctor can assess the urgency of the call. It is important to
give the patient’s full name, date of birth, and contact telephone number together with the
address of where the patient is at, at the time of the call.
When the surgery is closed – telephone 0870 600 6009. This is the telephone number of
SAUCS which is the Southern Area Urgent Care Service. From the beginning of 2005, this
service was commissioned by the Southern Health and Social Services Board.
There is always a Doctor on Call for emergencies but please remember that this service should
be reserved for emergencies only. In life threatening emergencies such as severe bleeding,
collapse, unconsciousness and severe chest pains, telephone 999 and then call the Duty
Doctor.
The Southern Area Urgent Care Service is located at: . South Tyrone Hospital, 4 Carland
Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, BT71 4AU.
Podcasts
Welcome to our audio first aid centre. Below you will see 7 small MP3 files which can be
downloaded on to your iPod or any other MP3 player. Wherever your iPod goes the advice will
go with you!
To save them on your computer, right-click on any of the links below and then click 'Save Target
As..."
Click on any of the links below to play the audio files:
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Burns - Explains the immediate treatment for burns and scalds.
Fits - How to deal with fits (convulsions/seizures) in adults and young children.
Wounds - Immediate actions for wounds, bleeding, and bleeding associated with
fractures.
Unconscious patient who is breathing - How to deal with an unrousable patient who IS
breathing (includes recovery position)
CPR for adults - Adults who have collapsed, unrousable and NOT breathing.
CPR for babies - Babies who are unrousable and NOT breathing.
Collapsed patient in detail - Explains the complete scenario including checks for
breathing, circulation, etc.
These files have been prepared by Sussex Ambulance Service and comply with European
Resuscitation Council Guidelines.