Doctor

ALDBOROUGH SURGERY

Dr. Philip M. Wood MA MB BChir(Cantab.) assisted by
Dr. Sarah Dawson MB BS

Surgery Times

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings
8.45am -10.00am. No appointments.

Wednesday mornings
9.30am - 12.30pm. Appointments only.

Friday mornings
9.00am - 12 noon. Appointments only.

Saturday mornings
9.00am - 11.00am. Appointments only.
9.00am - 10.00am. Emergencies accepted.

Opening Times of the Surgery

Weekdays 8.30am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 6.00pm
Thursday afternoon CLOSED

Telephone Numbers

Appointments and enquiries (receptionist) - (01263) 768602 Repeat prescriptions (dispenser) - (01263) 768819 Fax - (01263) 761340 Emergencies out of surgery hours - (01603) 488488

THE PRACTICE

Aldborough Surgery is a single-handed practice aiming to provide as complete a range of services as possible. The Surgery is located in purpose built premises just off Aldborough Green. Dr. Wood is responsible for over 2000 patients, most of whom live within a 6 mile radius of Aldborough.

The practice is computerised and dispensing. There is easy access for the disabled.

How to see the Doctor

1. Morning Surgeries - No appointments. All patients arriving at the Surgery before 10.00am will be seen in turn. Please be prepared to wait if necessary.

2. Afternoon Surgeries - All by appointment. Dr. Harvey is in Surgery all day on Tuesdays and Dr. Millis on Wednesday mornings.

Telephone Advice from the Doctor (01263) 768602

Doctors will be happy to discuss certain matters over the telephone where appropriate, but cannot be interrupted during consultations other than in exceptional circumstances. The best time to telephone is between 11pm and noon on weekdays.

Home Visits (01263) 768602

If you need the doctor to visit you at home, please contact the Surgery before 10am if possible.

Emergencies Outside Surgery Hours (01603) 488488

Dr. Wood is a member of NENDOC (North East Norfolk Doctors on Call). This is a locally based GP co-operative for the provision of out of hours emergency medical care. (Further information about the running of GP co-operatives is available from receptionist staff.) If you telephone the Surgery outside opening hours, a recorded message will give the telephone number for Medicom - 01603 488488. Please telephone this number ONLY if you need a doctor urgently. You will be asked your name, address, telephone number and the nature of the problem. Medicom will then contact the duty doctor who will telephone you back as soon as possible. Medicom is a doctor's answering service run by the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust.

General Enquiries and Advice (01263) 768602

Please contact the Surgery, if possible between 10.30am and 12.30pm on weekdays. Test results can be given over the telephone but normally only to the patient concerned. You may need to see the doctor to discuss these.

Repeat Prescriptions - Dispensary (01263) 768819

To Order

Please telephone the dispenser, if possible before 12 noon, and allow at least 48 hours' notice. Alternatively, you can return the computerised slip indicating which drugs you require.

Collection

Prescriptions can be collected from the dispenser during Dispensary hours. These are 8.30am to 12.30pm each morning and 2.00pm to 6.00pm every afternoon except Thursday.

Charges

If you are exempt from paying prescription charges, please present your current exemption certificate to the dispenser so that she can keep her computer records up to date. Application forms for certificates of exemption from charges can be obtained from the dispenser. For those who pay and have a number of medications it may be more cost effective to apply for a pre-payment certificate. If you would like to know about this, or require more information about prescription charges, please ask the dispenser who will be happy to help you. All repeat prescriptions are subject to 6 monthly review.

Hospital Transport (01263) 768602

Transport for hospital appointments can be arranged by contacting the Surgery during opening hours. Please allow at least 48 hours' notice. Requests are faxed through to Hospital Transport and the booking is made.

Village Care (01263) 768602

Village Care co-ordinates a team of voluntary drivers who may be able to help with transport locally for blood tests, x-rays, physiotherapy etc. This can be arranged through the Surgery. Voluntary drivers are always required, as are volunteers to help with the Tuesday luncheon club, also run and subsidised by Village Care. If you would like to help in either capacity, please contact the Surgery.

New Patients

All new patients are invited to complete a brief questionnaire and to make an appointment with the practice nurse for a new patient health check. If you are taking medication you will need to see the doctor before ordering your first repeat prescription. The questionnaire relates to past medical history and any current medical problems. The new patient health check comprises measurement of height, weight and blood pressure. You will be asked to bring a specimen of urine (bottle supplied).

Children

It is recommended that children up to 5 years of age should be registered for Child Health Surveillance. This is a programme run by the doctor, health visitor and practice nurse comprising baby check and immunisations, and pre-school check and immunisations.

New Babies

In order for you baby to be registered and included in the Child Health Surveillance programme, registration and dispensing forms need to be completed.

Practice Computer

The Practice became computerised in 1993. Computerised records are confidential and protected under the terms of the Data Protection Act. Please inform the receptionists of any change in circumstances, such as change of address, marital status or telephone number.

Practice Staff

Dr. Wood is assisted in the running of the practice by the following attached staff:

Practice Manager - Mrs Ruth Lambert

Receptionists - Mrs Pamela Leeder, Mrs Jenny Davies, Mrs Jane Bishop

Medical Secretary - Mrs Pat Harvey

Dispensers - Mrs Ruth Lambert, Mrs Julie Fisher, Mrs Carol Cox

Practice Nurses - Mrs Ann Bolderstone, Mrs Valerie Evans

The nurses are available by appointment: Weekday mornings - 8.40am to 12.30pm Monday and Tuesday afternoons - 2.00pm to 6.00pm

They provide general nursing care such as dealing with minor accidents, dressings, ear-syringing, removal of sutures, immunisations, and cervical smears. They also run a Health Promotion programme which includes:

Coronary Heart Disease Prevention Diabetic clinic Asthma clinic Help with stopping smoking Advice with diet, exercise and weight loss Advice relating to alcohol Advice relating to general health care

Services offered by the Practice

Maternity Clinic

Run by the midwife on alternate Wednesday afternoons by appointment. Dr Wood is qualified to offer a full range of obstetric services.

Family Planning

Well Woman Health Check

Children's Immunisation and Child Health Surveillance Clinic

This clinic, run by the health visitor, doctor and practice nurse, is held on the afternoon of the second Wednesday in each month. The clinic is run as follows: 8 weeks - Examination by doctor and health visitor - First set of immunisations given by practice nurse. 12 weeks - Second set of immunisations given by practice nurse. 16 weeks - Third set of immunisations given by practice nurse. 12-18 months - MMR immunisations given by practice nurse. 48 months - Pre-school immunisations and health checks to be carried out by practice nurse and doctor.

Well Baby Clinic

The health visitor runs an informal "drop-in" clinic from 2.00pm to 3.00pm every Wednesday of the month. This is for baby weighings and general advice. Arrangements may also be made directly with the health visitor.

Minor Surgery

Dr. Wood is qualified to perform minor surgical procedures and there is a fully equipped Treatment Room for this purpose.

Immunisations for Going Abroad

Please ask the receptionist for the appropriate form which needs to be completed. There is a charge for some Travel Immunisations.

Counselling

The Practice is able to offer a counselling service provided by Mrs Joy Thomas who is a trained and qualified counsellor. Referrals are normally made through the doctor.

Community Based Health Staff

The district nurse, midwife and health visitor can be contacted through the surgery.

Fees for Private Medical Services

These are set in accordance with BMA recommendations. Details are displayed on the noticeboard and are available on request from the receptionist.

Sick Notes

A doctor's certificate is only required for periods of continuous absence from work of 7 days or longer. For absences of 3-6 days, a self-certificate should be obtained from your employer. No certificate is required for 3 days or less.

Locum Doctors

As Dr. Wood is single-handed, off duty and holidays are covered by a locum doctor, normally Dr. Harvey. Arrangements for out of hours cover remain unchanged.

Patient's Charter

The Practice accepts, and attempts to comply with, the provisions of the Patient's Charter, copies of which are available on request.

Complaints Procedure

In accordance with GP Terms and Conditions of Service, the Practice operates an "in house" complaints procedure (see below).

Comments and Suggestions

If you have any comments or suggestions, or if you are unhappy with any aspect of the running of the practice, please write to Dr. Wood or ask to speak either to him or to the practice manager, Mrs Lambert.

North Norfolk Health

The Practice is working in increasingly close co-operation with other local practices within the context of a Primary Care Group (North Norfolk Health). It is hoped that this will contribute towards the shaping of future health care in North Norfolk and benefit the patients of all the practices concerned, whilst allowing individual practices to maintain their character and independence within the group.