The doctors, nurses and other staff at our practice

Saltash Health Centre
Callington Road
Saltash
Cornwall
PL12 6DL
Tel: 01752 842281

News:

Your doctor
Is the doctor you regularly see different to the doctor you are actually registered with? If so, you can easily re-register with your usual doctor - just ask the Receptionist.

Test Results
Open for enquires Monday-Friday 10-12am & 2-5pm. In order to answer your queries more quickly we have a direct number to obtain test results. This number is only for results - 01752 844922

Out of Hours
For urgent medical problems an out of hours General Practice Service is available via the out of hours service provider. Please telephone 01752 842281 and you will be directly transferred to this service.

Flu Clinics 2010

We are holding flu clinics on Saturday 9th October and Saturday 23rd October. Vaccinations will be offered to those patients over the age of 65 or patients that fall into an "at risk" group (as set by the Department of Health). Please check with the receptionist if you are unsure of your eligibility.

Text Messaging

Missed appointments increase waiting times for all our patients. To help improve our patient services, we will send you a FREE reminder via text before your appointment. Should you no longer need your appointment early cancellation will enable us to provide care to another patient. It couldn't be easier to register - simply provide your mobile phone number and a day or so before your next appointment you will receive a reminder detailing the date and time direct to your mobile phone. Sign up now! Never miss another appointment.

Announcements

01 Sep - 01 Oct
NHS Smokefree

Find out about all of the free NHS services available to support you as you go try to give up smoking.

01 Aug - 01 Oct
NHS Summer Health

Stay safe in the sun, including sunscreens, sunburn relief, heat exhaustion, eczema and moles. Summer holidays are great fun for children, but can bring risks. Find out more

01 Jul - 01 Oct
Change for Life

Would you like loads of tips and help to make changes for a healthier future? As part of Change4Life, you will receive tons of helpful information, recipes, tools, tips, and games for the kids.

Yahoo Health

Expert warns of complacency after swine flu fizzle (AP)

Robert Webster, chairman of the Department of Virology and Molecular Biology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., attends the Options for the Control of Influenza conference in Hong Kong Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 in Hong Kong. Webster urged health authorities around the world to stay vigilant even though the recent swine flu pandemic was less deadlier than expected, warning that bird flu could spark the next global outbreak. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

AP - A leading virus expert urged health authorities around the world Sunday to stay vigilant even though the recent swine flu pandemic was less deadly than expected, warning that bird flu could spark the next global outbreak.

Cholera kills 41 in Central African nation of Chad (AP)

AP - Health officials in Chad say an outbreak of cholera in the Central African nation has killed at least 41 people.

Can home cooking be hazardous to your health? (AP)

AP - Could your kitchen at home pass a restaurant inspection?

Botox maker to pay $600M to resolve investigation (AP)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, Wednesday, Sep. 1, 2010, regarding a major settlement with a pharmaceutical company for False Claims Act and off-label marketing violations. Allergan Inc., the maker of wrinkle-smoothing Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a years long federal investigation into its marketing of the top-selling, botulin-based drug. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

AP - Allergan Inc., the maker of wrinkle-smoothing Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a yearslong federal investigation into its marketing of the top-selling, botulin-based drug.

New test seen as big advance in diagnosing TB (AP)

This undated photo released by Cepheid, shows a Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF cartridge. The cartridge is part of a test that is a major advance in diagnosing tuberculosis and can reveal in less than two hours, with very high accuracy, whether someone has the disease and if it's resistant to the main drug for treating it. (AP Photo/Cepheid) NO SALES

AP - Scientists are reporting a major advance in diagnosing tuberculosis: A new test can reveal in less than two hours, with very high accuracy, whether someone has the disease and if it's resistant to the main drug for treating it.

Journal editors question sale of diet pill Meridia (AP)

AP - Editors of a top medical journal call Meridia "another flawed diet pill" and question whether it should stay on the market as a study shows it raises the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with heart problems.

Study: Diet Drug Meridia May Boost Heart Risks (Time.com)

Time.com - A new study finds that some users of the weight-loss pill Meridia may have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke

For Bonobo Males, Mom Is the Best Wingman (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - To most human males, the thought of your mother anywhere near your sex life is probably horrifying. Not so for the bonobo, one of our closest primate relatives. A new study confirms that hanging out with mom boosts male bonobos' chances of getting intimate with a fertile female.

Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 3, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

More parents 'redshirting' kindergartners (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - As schools start back into session around the country, some parents of young children face a difficult question: Send their little ones to kindergarten as soon as they become age-eligible, or hold them back in hopes that an additional year of maturity will give them an academic boost?

MedPage Today

Investigation Reveals More Woes for Rosiglitazone

(MedPage Today) -- On July 15—a day after the FDA completed two days of hearings on rosiglitazone (Avandia)—a British advisory commission on drugs concluded that the product should be withdrawn from the market, according to an investigation conducted by BMJ.

Washington Week: Insurance, State Actions Top News

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- Several studies highlighting insurance issues were released this week, including one on federal programs for kids and two others focused on employer-provided medical coverage.

FDA Approves New Eye Pressure Drop Formulation

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The FDA approved a new formulation of the drug bimatoprost (Lumigan) in a 0.01% solution as a first-line treatment to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Kids on HAART Would Benefit from Revaccinations (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Children with HIV who received standard childhood immunizations before starting on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) could benefit from revaccination, a review suggests.

New Guidelines Out for Pneumococcal Vaccine (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Adults with asthma and those who smoke should receive the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease, according to new recommendations from the CDC.

OSHA Should Dictate Residents' Hours, Group Says

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The consumer group Public Citizen is urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to regulate the work hours of resident physicians.

Four Factors Increase Risk of Opioid Dependence (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- A combination of four factors appears to significantly increase the risk of opioid dependence among patients taking prescription painkillers, researchers have found.

Low IgG Poses Infection Risk With Rituximab (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Certain subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly those who have low levels of IgG, are at risk for severe infections when treated with rituximab, French investigators found.

ESC: Stockholm Take Home Message -- Watch the 'Not' Warfarins

STOCKHOLM (MedPage Today) -- An investigational antiplatelet -- ticagrelor (Brilinta) -- emerged as a big winner from the five-day long European Society of Cardiology congress, but the buzz here focused instead on a trio of investigational oral anticoagulants -- dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban.

Admitting Clinical Errors Not Always Best Policy

(MedPage Today) -- Wide-scale disclosure of clinical errors seems intuitively to be the ethical choice for hospitals and physicians, but researchers from the University of Washington suggest that disclosure should be decided on a case-by-case basis rather than a one-size-fits-all solution

WHO Swine Flu

Influenza - update 115

Worldwide, H1N1 2009 virus transmission remains most intense in parts of India and in parts of the temperate southern hemisphere, particularly New Zealand and more recently in Australia.

Influenza - update 114

The situation in New Zealand and India remains largely unchanged since the last update. Influenza H1N1 (2009) virus transmission remains locally intense in parts of India and New Zealand.

Influenza - update 113

Influenza H1N1 (2009) virus transmission remains locally intense in parts of India and New Zealand.

Director-General statement following the ninth meeting of the Emergency Committee

The Emergency Committee held its ninth meeting by teleconference on 10 August 2010.

WHO recommendations for the post-pandemic period

The world is now in the post-pandemic period. Based on knowledge about past pandemics, the H1N1 (2009) virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus for some years to come. While the level of concern is now greatly diminished, vigilance on the part of national health authorities remains important. Such vigilance is especially critical in the immediate post-pandemic period, when the behaviour of the H1N1 (2009) virus as a seasonal virus cannot be reliably predicted.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 112

As of 1 August 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18449 deaths.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 111

As of 25 July 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18398 deaths.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 110

As of 18 July 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18366 deaths.

Monitoring patterns and levels of worldwide activity

As part of regular monitoring of H1N1 pandemic influenza, the WHO is in close dialogue with public health experts in countries worldwide, specifically to determine whether H1N1 activity has returned to levels and patterns normally seen for seasonal flu.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 109

As of 12 July, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18337deaths.

Doctors

Nursing Staff

Practice Team

Healthcare Team

Doctors

Dr Robert Cook (m)
MB,ChB,MRCGP,DRCOG(Dundee 1976)

Dr Robert Kneen (m)
MB,BS FRCGP,DRCOG(London 1979)

Dr Neville Devonport (m)
MB,BS,DCH,DRCOG,(London 1980)

Dr Alistair Broadhead (m)
MB,BS,MRCGP(London 1982)

Dr Caroline Fox (f)
MB, BS,DCH,DRCOG,MRCGP (London 1991)

Dr Birte Morris (f)
MB,BS, MRCGP, DCH (Berlin 1996)

Dr Joshua Hamilton (m)
MBBS,BSc(Hons),DCH,MRCGP (London 1999)

There will be one doctor in the practice who you will probably look upon as your “own” doctor; they will probably look after your entire family. Because they will know you well -and you them-it will usually be advantageous to see them. If your problem is urgent and your own doctor is unavailable because he is fully booked for that day or is away on a course or holiday, the receptionist will be happy to arrange for you to see the Nurse Practitioner or “on-call” Doctor who will deal with the urgent problem.

Nurses

There are 5 Practice Nurses and 2 Health Care Assistants who work at Saltash Health Centre:

Tracy Clark, RGN, BSc Hons Podiatry, BSc Hons Nurse Practitioner
Mair Gammon, RGN, MSc Nurse Practitioner
Rita Swift, RGN, B phil Nurse Practitioner
Angela Toward, RGN
Ann Lake, RGN
Sharon Nightingale, HCA
Shirley Farrell, HCA

Here is a message from our Practice Nurses:

There is a wide range of medical problems that we are happy to see you about at the surgery by making an appointment. some of the following are examples of the conditions that are within our training and competenece and we are happy to deal with:

Vaccinations and Immunisations including overseas travel advice
Removal of stitches
Ear syringing (we suggest you soften the ear wax first by instilling olive oil drops for a few days)
Cervical smears
Repeat prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy
Dressings
Verrucas
Athletes Foot
Nappy rash
Threadworms
Headlice

All of the nurses are able to give advice about all aspects of family planning and are happy to see you for routine review of the oral contraceptive pill.

We are also happy to give advice over the phone and if you ask the receptionist to speak to us, she will take a contact number so that we can ring you back when we are not seeing patients in the surgery. It may be more convenient for you to phone NHS Direct which is open 24 hours a day on 0845 4647.

There are some conditions that you may have felt more appropriate to see a GP about in the past. Some of the nurses have extended their expertise to deal with these problems and you may like to consider seeing the nurse practitioner about minor and/or acute illness. Some examples are listed below.

“Thrush”
Scabies
Conjunctivitis (sticky eyes)
Impetigo
Sore throat
Cystitis
Earache
Rashes

Please feel free to ask for an appointment with the nurse practitioner if you would like to. If you present with a problem that the nurse does not feel she can cope with she can always arrange for a Doctor to give further advice about it.

Our Health Care Assistants undertake phlebotomy, new patient and patient health checks, health promotion, dressings, blood pressure checks, spirometry, stop smoking advice, assisting at minor operations, chaperoning. Please feel free to make an appointment to see one of our Health Care Assistants.

Phlebotomists

Each morning we have 2 phlebotomists, Sharon Nightingale and Shirley Farrell, at the surgery to take blood from patients as requested by the hospital, GPs and practice nurses. You can make an appointment to see them between 8.30 am and 12.00 by contacting the receptionists. Please remember that they can only take blood tests and you will need to see the practice nurse and doctor for anything else.

Practice Management

Mrs Lynn Chenery (f)
Practice Manager

Reception

Our receptionists are there to help you and anything you tell them will be in absolute confidence. They are able to book appointments for you and will do their best to arrange for you to see your own doctors or any other member of the team at a time that is convenient for you. They carry out many varied jobs within the practice. They are not medically qualified and so please do not expect them to be able to give medical advice, however they may need to ask you some questions in order to direct you to the most appropriate service and best address your needs. We have a direct number to obtain test result more quickly. This number is only for results - 01752 844922

Please inform a receptionist if you change your phone number or address so we can update our records. This will make contacting you, for example about a test result, if necessary or in an emergency much easier. We do request that mobile phones are switched off in the surgery so that consultations are not disrupted or sick patients distressed.

Community Midwives

We work both within the community and Health centre working closely with the Primary Health Care Team: GP’s, Health Visitors, Practice Nursing Staff and Community Physiotherapists. We also work and liaise with hospital services, particularly Obstetric Consultants, and midwives working within hospital settings. We are able to refer women to hospital services for investigations/care if medically indicated for high risk pregnancies and births, or if the woman’s choice is to give birth to her baby within a hospital setting.

At all times we endeavour to ensure the care and advice offered is based on up to date research based evidence.

We work with a further five midwives (Green Team) to provide a 24 hour “on Call” Facility giving advice for urgent midwifery problems and concerns, and to undertake home births. Within East Cornwall a “Midwifery Advice” line is also available from 09.00-11.00 each weekday to answer any issues a women might have regarding pregnancy, birth, or issues during the post natal period.

Services we provide are
• Preconceptual Advice
• Care and Support during the ante natal period
• Care and Support during the post natal period
• Care in labour for wishing to have their Baby at Home
• Parent Education

You will normally be referred to the midwifery Service by your General Practitioner but are welcome to make direct contact if you wish (via the Health Centre reception desk).

You will normally meet your “Named Midwife’ when you are approximately 8 weeks pregnant. At the first consultation which will last between 1-2 hours you will have the opportunity to discuss with your midwife any aspects or concerns you consider are relevant to your pregnancy— which might be medical, social or emotional—to enable you to become confident in your pregnancy, health and well- being.
We will give you various literature related to pregnancy and discuss the care and appointments recommended for your specific pregnancy.

You will be provided with contact telephone numbers to enable you to contact a midwife at any time if you have midwifery concerns or problems. (Medical concerns should be discussed with your doctor).

Antenatal Clinics are held at the Health Centre. Appointments are necessary. Appointments are necessary and can be booked at Reception.

We hope that you will enjoy your pregnancy and the early days with your baby and if you have any worries or concerns would encourage you to discuss them with your midwife.

Community Nurses

We aim to provide high quality nursing care to people in their own homes, who are unable to attend their GP’s surgery through illness or disability, not transport problems. “We aim to promote independence and healthy lifestyle”.

What to expect:
Our staff wear navy or green uniforms and a NHS blue logo with their name on. They will also say who they are when they first call. They have photographic identity badges that they will produce on request. All information is treated confidentially with the team.

How do I get to see a District Nurse?
You can be referred by:
- Your GP
- Social services
- Other agencies

We specialise in:
- Wound care
- Treating leg ulcers
- Care after an operation
- Helping people regain their full potential
- Assessing for and providing equipment that will help you at home
- Help to overcome people’s problems moving around the home. This includes providing necessary standard equipment when circumstances permit
- Promoting and assessing continence in adults
- Assessing and planning shared care with Social services to help people stay at home and keep their independence.
- Care of those with a terminal illness
- Care of the dying

Team Work:
District nurses work closely with other community health care staff. Together we form a Primary Health Care Team.
This team includes:
Your GP
Social Services
Macmillan and Marie Curie nurses
Health Visitors
Specialist Nurses, such as
Tissue Viability
Continence adviser
Eldercare support nurse
Diabetes support nurse
Parkinson’s specialist nurse
Voluntary agencies.
Working together we ensure you get the maximum level of care and help available to you.

Named Nurse:
This nurse will have overall responsibility for you and is known as your named nurse. They will make sure that any other nurses helping with your care are fully informed.

Patient held record:
We like our patients to be closely involved in all aspects of their care and encourage them to keep their records at home. There is place in these records for other health care and Social Services staff to use. This helps us all to work together. If you are admitted to hospital, go to see your GP, or attend an out patient appointment please take your record with you. You must give permission before anyone else can see your record.

How you can help us:
Cancel appointments you cannot keep so someone else can be seen
Tell us if you change address or GP
Arrange return of any equipment once you have finished using it be telephoning 01208 251493/1502
Patients who receive continence pads may only alter their order through the district nurse. Please do not hoard pads. Return unused items to the health centre.

Complains, concerns compliments and suggestions:
We would like to know what you think about the service we provide. If you are unhappy with the standard of care, please tell us either by speaking to your health care worker or writing to
Trish Cooper
Locality Manager
Liskeard Community Hospital
Clemo Road
Liskeard
PL14 3XA

Health Visitors

The Health Visitors work within a team offering care for the practice-

Our team is available during office hours on 01752 857457
And also on 01752 857458 for telephone advice.
You may wish to make an appointment or call in and see us whilst at the Health Centre.

A large proportion of our work is supporting parents with the care of their babies and young children. Well baby clinics are run on Tuesdays between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon. You are free to attend for advice.

The health visitor team is involved in visiting families before their children are born as well as working with the midwives providing parent craft sessions. We provide child health surveillance within the first 2 years of your child’s life through developmental checks.

The team run a weekly ‘under-ones’ group for families and their new babies. We also liaise with local parent and toddler groups and pre-schools.

We have a Staff Nurse within the team whose expertise is with our adult population. She offers appointments for those over 75 years of age to review their overall general health. She also liaises with local carers groups and day care providers.

Attached Staff

Speech Therapist
We have a speech therapist at the Health Centre who helps particularly with problems of young children who have delayed speech. Referral to this team is via your GP or Health Visitor.

Psychiatric Nurse
We have close contacts with the psychiatric nursing team. In the first instance referral will be by your own doctor.

Chiropodist
A chiropodist also visits the Health Centre but attendance is only possible for those patients over 65 or those registered disabled or diabetic and who are referred by their GP.

Clinical Psychologist - www.outlooksw.co.uk
The Saltash Health Centre has a team of counsellors and a clinical psychologist providing help for people with mental health problems. The types of problems that are dealt with include common difficulties such as:
• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety, phobias and panic
• Trauma (e.g. following accidents, violent incidents, etc)
• Sleep problems
• Relationship problems

The team of therapists work in the Health Centre. More information about the services they provide can be found on www.outlooksw.co.uk. Referrals to this service can be made through the GP. Typical waiting lists are between 1 to 3 months.

Behavioural Therapist
A behavioral therapist attends the health centre to provide behavioral treatments/cognitive and relaxation therapy. Referral is via your doctor.

Substance Misuse Therapist
A specialist counsellor from CADA (Cornwall's Alcohol & Drugs Agency) attends the Health Centre once a week to provide counselling and education for people with alcohol and drug problems.

Stop Smoking Support
Sharon Nightingale runs a weekly clinic to support people who want to stop smoking, please speak to the Receptionists.

Physiotherapist
There is a physiotherapy department at the health centre. Services provided include the treatment of acute and chronic soft tissue lesions i.e. sports injuries, special mobilization and manipulation and acupuncture principally in the control of pain.

Diet and Exercise Counsellor
We have an advisor who holds a clinic once a month. Ask at reception to make an appointment.

Further Information

For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS Direct