Surgery Information
SURGERY PREMISES
The main surgery is in Perranporth. These are converted modern premises (1996), with facilities for the disabled. The surgery is situated along the beach front, opposite the public car park. It is possible to stop outside the front entrance for delivery and collection. Car Parking is available in the town and in the Beach Car Park. During the summer season there is a charge at all car parks in Perranporth and unfortunately we have no control over this or access to free places. It is worth mentioning to the car park attendants, however, that you are visiting the surgery
APPOINTMENTS
We are a group practice and you may consult any one of the doctors. Most consultations are by appointment. To make an appointment either call at reception or telephone 01872 573459. The receptionist will try to give you a convenient appointment with the doctor of your choice. In line with the wishes of the government, we are now running a system of same day appointments. In order to arrange an appointment you will have to ring the surgery on the day that you wish to be seen for both emergency and routine appointments. Some people find that dropping into the surgery to arrange an appointment is easier than ringing first thing in the morning as the phone lines are often very busy after 0830 hrs. For those who go out to work we are able to offer some pre-bookable early morning appointments. All appointments with the nurses and other healthcare professionals can still be booked in advance. Please inform us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment for any reason, so that we can use it for another patient.
HOME VISITS
If you think that you are too ill to come to the surgery and need to see a doctor, a home visit can be arranged by telephoning 01872 572255. You will be asked some details regarding the nature of your illness and for a contact number so that the duty doctor can decide in conjunction with yourself whether or not a visit is absolutely necessary.In general home visits are usually made only to the truly housebound and terminally ill. Whenever possible please telephone before 10.30am as have a large rural area to cover. We often ask patients to make an effort to attend the surgery as we have believe that we can provide a better service with access to all our facilities in terms of equipment and other healthcare professionals in the surgery environment rather than at home. Sometimes it will be obvious to the duty doctor that rather than see him/her, another professional (eg Nurse) or even hospital admission may be more appropriate (eg after a fall).
TELEPHONE ADVICE
The receptionist will inform you of the most suitable time to contact the doctor. The receptionists have been asked not to interrupt the doctor during a surgery unless the call is urgent.
TEACHING WITHIN THE PRACTICE
We are a training practice, which means that we frequently have GP registrars. These are experienced doctors who are making a career transition between hospital and general practice. They join us for 6 – 12 months to complete their training to be GPs. Sometimes medical students sit in with a doctor. If you would prefer to see your doctor in private please say so, it will cause no offence. All our students are now from the Penninsula Medical school based at the Truro campus. The training course is 5 years and we take students in the 3 rd and 4 th years for week-long blocks. 5th year students come to Perranporth on 6 week placements. We also have what is called an F2 doctor. This is a doctor who has been qualified for at least 12 months and is having a period in the community to work and gain experience. Occasionally GPs in training need to video consultations. You may be asked to participate in this activity although this is not compulsory and if you do not want to be videod, it shall not affect your time with the doctor.
THE PRACTICE TEAM
General practice involves a group of professionals trained in health care. The doctors, receptionists and secretaries work closely with the health visitor, practice nurses, community nurses and midwives. All of these people can be contacted through the surgery reception, or by telephoning 01872 572255.
THE HEALTH VISITOR
Health Visiting in our area is led by Karen Harris. The team can be contacted during working hours on 01872 571212.
COMMUNITY NURSES AND MIDWIVES
Josie Dodson looks after our mums-to-be and arranges antenatal, relaxation and parentcraft classes. The team is shared between us and St Agnes. We have a Community Matron attached to the practice. Please contact the surgery for any enquiries relating to them.
PRACTICE NURSES/HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT/PHLEBOTOMIST
Mary Gofton, Karen Hardwick, Mary Parrett and Helen Tellam make up our practice nursing team. They will be able to help you with immunisations, ear syringing, blood pressure checks, removal of stitches, minor ailments, travel advice and other referrals which the doctor may arrange. If you wish to see the nurse please make an appointment by phoning the appointments line. Our health care assistant, Laura Wright, is trained to perform ECGs, check blood pressures and to take blood as well as running our smoking cessation service. Please let the receptionist know why you need the appointment, i.e. for an injection, dressing or blood test, so that we know how much time to reserve and with whom to make the appointment.
PRACTICE MANAGER
If you have any difficulty in using any of these services or have any non-clinical enquiries please contact the practice manager, Lisa Fogg or our office manger, Sandra Batty, who will be very pleased to help you.
TEST RESULTS
Please telephone for results after 2.00pm, if possible. Your doctor or the nurse will advise you when the result should be available, and if he would like to see you personally. Please note that results will not be disclosed to a third party over the telephone.
IF YOU MOVE
If you move please let us know your new address and telephone number. If you move outside our practice area, please do not assume that we can continue to care for you.
NEW PATIENT HEALTH CHECK
New patients will be encouraged to see our practice nurse soon after registering so that we can familiarise ourselves with your medical history and treatment. Medical records can take a considerable time to reach us and this examination gives us valuable information about you until they arrive.
PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH
There are recall systems in operation for immunisations and cervical cytology. The monitoring of asthma, heart disease, hypertension (blood pressure), weight and diabetes is carried out in special clinics by arrangement with the practice nurse or your doctor. Please attend for the necessary checks when you receive an invitation or enquire at the reception desk should you wish to have further information.
WELL WOMAN CLINICS
We do not hold a well woman clinic as such, but all aspects related to women’s health can be attended to in a routine appointment with either the doctor of your choice or one of the practice nurses. Cervical smears are usually done by our practice nurses.
FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
Full family planning services, including emergency contraception are available at the surgery. Please ask your doctor or the nurse about this service, and the receptionist will arrange an appointment for you, either in a clinic or in a normal surgery.
ANTENATAL CLINICS
These are held on Thursday afternoons, by appointment with the midwife or your doctor.
CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
This is carried out by all the doctors, together with the health visitor.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND COUNSELLING
Mental Health problems are very common and many of us will experience a problem with our mental health at some point during our lives, most commonly depression or anxiety. We have two CPNs (Community Psychiatric Nurses) trained in looking after people with mental health problems. Eldercare psychiatric services with in the community are provided by our eldercare CPN. Our trained counsellors and outside agencies are available within the surgery to provide counselling and support to our patients. Referral to them will be through your doctor. In addition we have a CADA (Cornwall Action on Drugs and Alcohol) counsellor who will see patients with (or relatives of patients) alcohol problems.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
In house physiotherapy is provided by Liz Thomas and Rowena. Patients who wish to see either must first consult one of the doctors for a referral.
TRAVEL ADVICE
We offer a comprehensive range of travel vaccinations and advice. Please give as much notice as possible and contact our practice nurses to discuss an appropriate immunisation schedule. A cost may be incurred as not all of these services are covered by the NHS.
MINOR OPERATIONS
They are performed regularly in the surgery, usually two or three times a month. The doctor will arrange for your name to go onto the waiting list and you will be contacted by the receptionist with appointment details.
FEES FOR PRIVATE WORK
Certain services given by the practice are not covered by the NHS and fees become payable by the patient for this private work, e.g. insurance claims. private certificates, signing passport photographs, etc. Medical examinations for special purposes, e.g. elderly drivers, pre-employment, sports etc. will incur a fee. The receptionist will give you details.
COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS
We welcome your views, because our aim is to give you the highest possible standard of service, and we try to deal swiftly and thoroughly with any problems that may occur. Our practice-based procedure for responding to patients’ complaints is designed to provide an explanation, an apology where appropriate, and details of what we will do to put the matter right and to try to ensure it does not happen again. If you would like to know more about this procedure, an explanatory leaflet is available from the reception desk or can be downloaded here.
