At times our receptionists will need to ask for further information in order to decide how best to help you. You may be reassured that anything they hear about or see is held in strict confidence. Nothing may be divulged to anyone outside of the surgery team, even a close relative, without your permission. The receptionists must work within surgery guidelines, so occasionally they may not be able to do exactly what you want but they will always do their best to help you. We value our staff and ask you to be courteous towards them.

Louise Heywood is our practice-attached midwife who is responsible for all aspects of maternity services including antenatal care and postnatal visiting. She runs an antenatal clinic on Wednesday afternoons and works closely with the doctors in the practice who run clinics on various days. Antenatal care is delivered in partnership with the doctors.

We have a team of experienced district nurses attached to the practice consisting of: Sister Carol Styles, Community Staff Nurses: Angie Bilboe, Mandi Capaldi, Annie Foster, Charlotte Jordan; Health Care Assistant: Lynne Evans and Community Phlebotomist Sandra Wheeler. The district nursing team work closely with the doctors and other members of the Primary Healthcare Team delivering nursing services in the community for housebound and chronically ill patients.

Dawn Bellamy is our health visitor for children; she is based at the surgery and is available for advice on all aspects of childcare and development. Home visits are arranged as required. Clinics for developmental checks and immunisations are held jointly with Dr. Townshend. Dawn also holds a weekly ‘drop in’ baby clinic on a Thursday 2 – 3pm (no appointment necessary). Sue Ellis and Sue Lockwood are our health visitors for the elderly, they can be contacted through the surgery. They are able to deal with a broad range of issues and problems relating to the over 65yr old patients of the practice.

We have a practice based Palliative Care Nurse, Sister Julie Taylor who is based at the surgery on Tuesdays. We also have a practice-based counsellor Sarah Winterbourne and a Gateway Worker Emma Langford who undertake one session a week by referral from the doctors.