Combs Ford Surgery
Combs Lane
STOWMARKET
IP14 2SY
Dr. Adam Wankowski
Dr. David Gordon-Brown
Dr. Jackie Muir
Dr. Johannes Rath
Dr. Tim Watson
Dr. Caroline Dunmore
A guide to
our services
Telephone: (01449) 678333
Emergency and visit line only: (01449) 678366
Core Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am until 6.30pm
Extended Opening hours: Tuesday 7am to 8am, Saturday 8am to 11am
Evenings and weekends (01449) 678333 for Out of Hours Contact Number
This practice is within the NHS Suffolk population area.
Welcome
Combs Ford Surgery serves the population of Stowmarket as well as some of its surrounding villages. Our team includes six GPs, one nurse practitioner, four senior nurses, three health care assistants as well as our practice manager, medical secretary and reception / administration staff. This leaflet is for both existing patients and those considering registering with us. It tells you about our services, how to access them and some general information about how our practice operates.
We offer a full general practice service including health promotion clinics for diabetes, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease sufferers and high blood pressure. We also offer some minor surgical procedures on site. We have an on-site dispensing service for any of our patients living more than one mile away from a pharmacy / chemist.
At Combs Ford Surgery, we aim to treat all our patients promptly, courteously and in complete confidence.
Combs Ford Surgery is a ‘training practice’. This means hospital doctors wanting to experience general practice come to spend four / six months with us. During this time they see patients like other GPs but there is always a senior Doctor available to advise them. We also accept nurse students and they spend time with us learning about practice and community nursing. As a training practice, your medical records may be used for educational purposes or you may be asked if you are happy for a student to be present during your consultation.
The population of Stowmarket continues to grow and with the agreement of NHS Suffolk, Combs Ford Surgery’s practice area is as defined by the map below, with the exclusion of the Cedar’s Park and Chilton Hall housing developments.
If you live in our practice area and would like to register with us, please complete one of our registration forms that are available from Reception. Our staff will then inform you which of our team of doctors is taking on new patients. Please note that Dr Caroline Dunmore does not have her own list.
Our Practice Area
Clinics
We run a range of clinics. For an appointment or further details, please call our main Combs Ford Surgery on (01449) 678333.
Blood Tests
Daily from 8.20am to 1pm
Run by our team of trained health care assistants, we offer a blood test service for our patients. Appointments before 10.00am are reserved for those patients requiring a fasting blood test.
Midwifery
Wednesday 9.00am to 12.30pm and Booking Clinics on Friday 1pm to 3pm
This clinic is run by our Community Midwife. If you become pregnant, you will be given a ‘booking appointment’ at which the midwife will ask you a few questions and carry out some general health checks. You will be seen regularly throughout your pregnancy either at the practice or at the local hospital, or both. If you wish to contact the midwife please ring the Gilchrist Birthing Unit on 01379 870600. This is staffed every morning and the answer phone is checked every evening. If you need to contact the midwife urgently please ring the Ipswich Hospital on 01473 7122333 and ask for the Senior Midwife On Call.
Baby Clinic
Thursday 9.30am to 11.30am
Health Visitors run a weekly clinic at Hillside Community Centre in Stowmarket for parents and carers to take along their babies/toddlers. They can be contacted by leaving a message on their answerphone on 01449 776040.
Child health and immunisation
Thursday 10.30am to 1.00pm
All new babies are invited for regular check-ups from eight weeks old. A full immunisation programme is offered here at the surgery including MMR, pre-school vaccinations and boosters.
Minor surgery
We are fully equipped to carry out minor surgical procedures, dressing of wounds and first aid treatment. Please discuss this with your doctor who will then arrange for you to be given an appointment. Minor surgery appointments are made on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.
Health Promotion
Weekly
Led by our nursing team, our health promotion clinics offer advice and general health check-ups to patients diagnosed with diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart problems, kidney problems etc. Appointments can be made in advance and are available in morning or afternoon/early evening sessions.
Stopping smoking
Weekly
Our practice nurses are able to give advice and support to patients trying to give up smoking. Please ask at Reception for a Smoking Cessation appointment.
Coil fitting
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday afternoons
We have trained Doctors here at the surgery who are able to offer a coil fitting service. These are usually carried out on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Please ask at Reception for an appointment.
Extended Opening Hours
Tuesday and Saturday
These appointments are in addition to our normal service. It is hoped that those patients that can be seen during normal opening hours will continue to do so. This service is specifically designed for those patients who find it difficult to attend a routine/ review appointment during normal working hours. Appointments must be pre-booked in advance. You will not be seen without an appointment.
Home Visits
Telephone 01449 678366 (this line is for home visits and emergency calls ONLY)
Please telephone with your request for a visit before 10.00am if possible. Please give the name and address of the patient and be prepared to give some idea of why a visit is needed. This helps our doctors understand the urgency of the case. Visits should only be requested for urgent treatment/care and where possible patients should try to come into the surgery to see their doctor.
Prescriptions
Telephone 01449 676110
Our Dispensary generates all prescriptions. Patients who live more than one mile away from a chemist/pharmacy can collect their medication from our Dispensary. For patients requiring repeat-prescriptions please allow 48 hours and during busy periods, i.e. Christmas or New Year, please allow 72 hours. The Dispensary regrets that they are unable to accept requests for prescriptions over the telephone. Patients can fax their request on 01449 778212 or visit our website on www.combsfordsurgery.org.uk.
The Dispensary is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.30pm and on Saturday between 8.00am until 11.00am.
Specialist and hospital care
If a GP or another member of our health care team believes you need hospital treatment or specialist care elsewhere, they will ask you where you would like to go. For most patients the hospital will contact you to book an appointment for you to be seen. It is very important that we keep your contact details up to date. Please let us know of any change in your address, telephone numbers (including mobile) or marital status.
Leg Club
A Leg Club is held at the Hillside Community Centre on Tuesdays between 1pm and 4pm. Just drop in if you have any problems with leg ulcers or leg circulatory problems. The club is staffed by our District Nursing Team and Health Care Assistants from the surgery. This is a social club to meet other people in the community and to receive care for your leg(s).
Appointments
Ring our main switchboard number on (01449) 678333 to book an appointment. Our telephones are manned from 8am daily. We have 4 incoming telephone lines. Before you phone, think about the service you may need. Our Receptionists may ask you some questions if there are limited emergency appointments available. This is to help you decide which healthcare professional can help you best. We are able to offer patients a booked appointment on the day they telephone and a number of pre-bookable appointments. We may offer –
- An appointment with our Nurse Practitioner who can help with minor illness/minor injuries, e.g. sore throats, chest and urinary infections.
- To talk to a Doctor or Nurse on the telephone for help and advice.
- An appointment with the Doctor. There is no need to book appointments in advance. You will be offered an appointment for that day with your own doctor if available. If your doctor is not available and you cannot wait until they are here then you will be offered an appointment with the Duty Doctor. Our Reception Staff are happy to advise you of your Doctor’s availability.
· Urgent cases are seen on the day and you may be seen by your normal doctor or our Duty Doctor.
- We offer a number of pre-bookable appointments for those patients needing to know the exact date and time of their appointment, i.e. to arrange transport. You can book these appointments on the telephone or on the internet using our EMIS ACCESS service. Please ask at Reception for details.
To help us make your appointment as quickly as possible please consider the following -
· Let us know if more than one person in the family needs to be seen. We can give you a longer appointment if necessary.
· Tell us if you want someone to accompany you during an examination or a private room to discuss any matters. Remember that the results of tests can only be given to the patient.
· You can book to have a telephone consultation with a doctor. He or she will ring you at an agreed time on the telephone number you have given.
You can help us by:
· Being on time for your appointment
· Letting us know if you need to cancel
· Calling for a home visit or urgent appointment before 10am
· Ringing for a repeat prescription after 11am
· Ringing for the results of tests after 11am. Reception staff will able to let you know whether the test is back but not the result.
Evening and weekends
An Out of Hours Doctor service is offered for all patients registered with our practice when our practice is closed. For urgent advice and treatment, please call the usual Surgery number and you will be given the telephone number to use.
Other local NHS services
As well as our practice, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment. Before you do, remember that you can treat many minor ailments such as colds, coughs and indigestion by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home. We suggest you keep the following:
· Paracetamol and aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin)
· Mild laxatives
· Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
· Rehydration mixture
· Indigestion remedy (for example, antacids)
· Travel sickness tablets
· Sunscreen – SPF15 or higher
· Sunburn treatment (for example, calamine)
· Tweezers and sharp scissors
· A thermometer
· A selection of plasters, non-absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings.
Remember
· Keep the medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children.
· Always read the instructions and use the suggested dose
· Watch expiry dates – don’t keep or use medicines past their sell-by date
· Take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy
Your local pharmacist
Your local pharmacist will be able to give you free health advice at any time – you don’t need an appointment.
Riverside Clinic Minor Injuries Unit
Patients are also able to go to Riverside Clinic in Ipswich. This offers an alternative to patients for minor A&E treatment 7 days a week, 8am to 10pm. No appointment is necessary. Staff can help patients with cuts, grazes, lacerations, sprains and strains, bites and stings, infected wounds, minor head injuries, minor eye infections, scalds and burns and bruises.
Riverside Clinic MIU
2 Landseer Road, IPSWICH, IP3 0AZ
Tel: 01473 299621
NHS Direct
NHS Direct offers free expert health information and advice 24-hours a day on 0845 4647 or at their website, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk which also offers an enquiry service. For deaf people and those heard of hearing, a telephone service is available on 0845 606 4647.
Accident and emergency/999
999 is an emergency service ONLY but if you or someone else experiences severe chest pain, loss of blood or suspected broken bones, go to your nearest accident and emergency department or call 999.
Accident and emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can assess serious injuries and provide emergency treatment.
Our team
Our doctors
Dr Adam Wankowski (Partner) Specialist interests include - Acupuncture/Home Births & Midwifery Service / Minor Surgery / Joint injections / Drug Dependency
Dr David Gordon-Brown (Partner) - Specialist interests include - Acupuncture/ / Minor Surgery / Joint injections / Drug Dependency
Dr Jackie Muir (Partner) - Specialist interests include - Child Protection / IUCD fitting / Drug Dependency
Dr Johannes Rath (Partner) - Specialist interests include - Dispensing and Medicines Management / Care of Elderly / Drug Dependency / Minor Surgery / Joint Injection
Dr Tim Watson (Partner) - Specialist interests include Accident Rescue and Emergency Care / Minor surgery / Joint injections / Drug Dependency
Dr Caroline Dunmore (Salaried GP) - Specialist interests include - IUCD fitting. Please note that Dr Dumore does not have her own patients and patients can only register with one of our partners.
Our nursing team
Our highly qualified nurses deal with a range of conditions and health concerns.
Mrs Pat Totton is our Nurse Practitioner. She holds minor illness clinics and can deal with a range of conditions, health concerns and is able to prescribe. Our team of Specialist Practice Nurses deal with long-term medical conditions in our Health Promotion clinics. Practice Nurses in our Treatment Room will carry out practical procedures such as dressing, injections and vaccinations.
Practice manager
Mrs Sally Pearce and Mrs Jane Crawford will be able to help you with any administrative problems you may have with the way our practice is run.
Medical Secretary
Mrs Jane Hunter will be able to help you with any queries relating to referrals for specialist care or paperwork associated with your consultation.
Reception staff
Mrs Denise Roper and her team of Receptionists / Administrative staff are here to help you. They answer the phone, make appointments and deal with enquiries.
Dispensary staff
Mrs Mary Tricker and Mrs Greta Balson and their team of dispensers are here to help with your medication. They can dispense to patients living more than one mile from a pharmacy. Please allow sufficient time for your medication request.
Your local Primary Care Organisation
The area served by Combs Ford Surgery is in the district covered by NHS Suffolk. They are responsible for ensuring you get all the services you need. For details of all primary care services in the area, look at Your PCT Guide to Primary Care Services at www.suffolkpct.nhs.uk or get the information you need at www.nhs.uk The PCT also produces Your Guide to Local Health Services.
Suffolk Primary Care Trust
Rushbrook House
Paper Mill Lane
Bramford
IPSWICH
IP8 4DE
Tel: (01473) 770000
www.suffolkpct.nhs.uk
Other information
Complaints
Combs Ford Surgery aims to give a friendly and professional service to all our patients. However, if you have any concerns about any aspect of our service, please let us know. Speak to whomever you feel most comfortable – your GP, our practice manager or our reception staff will be happy to help. In the majority of cases, concerns can be resolved quite easily. However, if you feel we have not dealt with the issues you have raised as you would wish, you can write to the Practice Manager at the address on the back of this leaflet. Full details of your complaint will be taken and a full investigation will be initiated. You will receive an acknowledgement letter within 2 working days and we will endeavour to answer your queries within 10 working days. We also welcome your comments and praise for our staff! Please ask our Reception staff for a copy of our leaflet “How To Make A Complaint/Compliment”.
Other useful contacts –
PALS (Patient Advocacy & Liaison Service)
Stow Lodge Centre
Chilton Way
STOWMARKET
IP14 1SZ
Tel: FREEPHONE 0800 389 6819
Patients with particular needs
Our surgery is accessible to patients using a wheelchair. We have a wheelchair accessible entrance and reception area. For patients with hearing problems, we have a mobile digital hearing loop.
Patient confidentiality
We respect your right to privacy and keep all your health information confidential and secure. It is important that the NHS keeps accurate and up-to-date records about your health and treatment so that those treating you can give you the best possible care.
This information may be used for management and audit purposes. However, it is usually only available to, and used by, those involved in your care. You have the right to know what information we hold about you. If you would like to see your records, please call our practice manager on 01449 678333. You also have the right to withhold your clinical information from IT systems used by the wider-NHS. If you would like more information please ask your doctor or ask our Reception staff for more information.
Patient and Staff Protection
We aim to treat our patients courteously at all times and expect our patients to treat our staff in a similarly respectful way. We take seriously any threatening, abusive or violent behaviour against any of our staff or patients. If a patient is violent or abusive, they will be warned to stop their behaviour. If they persist, we may exercise our right to take action to have them removed, immediately if necessary, from our list of patients.
Contacting us
Combs Ford Surgery
Combs Lane
STOWMMARKET
Suffolk
IP14 2SY
Email: jane.crawford@gp-d83079.nhs.uk
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 8am until 6.30pm (except Tuesday 7am to 6.30pm)
Saturday 8am to 11am (pre-booked appointments only)
Telephone: 01449 678333 (Appointments and General enquiries)
01449 678366 (Visits and Emergencies ONLY)
01449 676110 (Dispensary)
Fax: 01449 614535
01449 778212 (Dispensary)
Other local services
The Travel Clinic Ltd at 10 Fonnereau Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3JP can help you with all travel health immunisations, advice and other vaccination advice. www.travelclinic.ltd.uk . Email enquiries@travelclinic.ltd.uk
This leaflet can also be made available on request on disk and in large print.