The Medical Centre

ChB = Bachelor of Surgery

BSc Psy = Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

DFSRH = Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproduction Healthcare

DRCOG = Diploma of Royal College of Obstetrics and GynaecologyFPA = Certificate of Family Planning

MB = Bachelor of Medicine

MRCGP = Member of Royal College of General Practitioners

MRCP = Member of Royal Colleges of Physicians

MBBS = Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery

RCPCH = Diploma in Child Health

The Reception Staff

We employ five part-time Receptionists, who will try in every way to help you. Elaine London is our Senior Receptionist and she is responsible for the overseeing of the reception area.

Our Receptionists are fully trained, and are trying to do a difficult and demanding job, often working under extreme pressure.

Please remember the Receptionists carry out their duties, as instructed by the Doctors, with the intention of making the Practice run safely and smoothly.

Therefore, if you seem to be asked one or two irritating questions or you have to be kept waiting, it is unintentional. Please try to help by giving the Receptionist the necessary information as she has to try to judge the urgency of the request.

ALL STAFF ARE BOUND BY THE SAME RULES OF CONFIDENTIALITY AS THE DOCTORS AND NURSES.

The Nursing Team

We have two practice nurses in the surgery team, Ruth Morgan and Judith Arthur, one nurse practitioner, Beverley Starbuck and one healthcare assistant, Eileen Cook, all of whom can be seen by appointment, morning and afternoon every weekday.

They are able to attend to dressings, syringe ears, remove stitches, check blood pressure and give injections.

They also run health screening clinics and can give advice on many health matters including cervical cytology tests.

Our nursing team's time is valuable. PLEASE REMEMBER TO CANCEL YOUR APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF IT IS NO LONGER REQUIRED, so that it can be offered to another patient. You can have an appointment to see one of the nursing team without seeing a doctor, but they may need to consult a doctor about your problem, if your condition requires it.

BLOOD TESTS ARE CARRIED OUT AT ERITH HOSPITAL BETWEEN 9.00AM AND
12 NOON EACH DAY AND AT THE CRAYFORD TOWN SURGERY BETWEEN 8.00 AND 9.00AM. URINE AND OTHER TEST SAMPLES MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE SURGERY BEFORE 2.00PM.

The District Nurses: Telephone 01322 555007

Patients who are confined to their homes, and who need nursing assistance and/or provision of disability aids, may initially arrange with their Doctor for a Community Nurse to call. The District Nurses call into the Surgery on a daily basis. However, when they are not on the premises, you may leave a message on their answerphone machine.

The Health Visitors: Telephone 01322 558611

Our Health Visitors are qualified nurses with midwifery experience, who have taken further training to obtain the Health Visiting Certificate. They are happy to give advice on health care, particularly for expectant mothers, babies, young children, the elderly and the handicapped. The Health Visitors are notified of births and visit from the 11th day after the birth. They maintain contact thereafter by further home visits and the Child Health Clinics held at the Surgery. As advisors on child care and family problems, they work in the community with the family Doctors.

You may contact your Health Visitor by telephoning the above number between 9.00 to 10.00am and 4.00 to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Outside these times you should leave a message on their answerphone machine.

The Midwife

All expectant mothers will be looked after by their Doctor and a Midwife. The Community Midwife from Queen Mary’s Hospital attends regular weekly Antenatal Clinics at this Surgery.

The Practice Manager

Our practice manager, Julia Weal, is responsible for the overall smooth running and backroom organisation of the practice and deals with everything that does not require medical expertise. She is generally available from 9.00am to 3.00pm, to discuss any suggestions which may help us to improve the service that we can offer to you, and to help with any administrative or non-medical aspects of your health.

Complaints about any aspect of the service provided at The Medical Centre should be forwarded to the practice manager in writing. All complaints received are dealt with according to the NHS complaints procedure.

Other Members Of Our Team

The Practice could not function properly without the assistance of our secretarial and clerical support team which consists of six part-time and one relief member of staff.

They are employed to carry out the many varied aspects of Practice administration that are essential to enable your GP to offer you a wider range of services.