Doctors surgery
TANNERS MEADOW SURGERY
Tanners Meadow, Brockham, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7NJ
Tel: 01737 843259
NEWDIGATE SURGERY
Rusper Road, Newdigate, Surrey RH5 5BE
Tel: 01306 631242
PRACTICE INFORMATION
Main Surgery
The Surgery, Tanners Meadow, Brockham, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7NJ
For emergencies, general calls and appointments - Telephone 01737 843259
Branch Surgery
The Surgery, Rusper Road, Newdigate, Surrey RH5 5BE
For general calls and appointments - Telephone 01306 631242
For emergencies when the surgery is closed - Telephone 01737 843259
We are a training practice and offer a wide variety of services in a modern and friendly environment.
The Doctors
| Dr Peter H Kober | MB, ChB (Dundee 1975), DRCOG |
| Dr Graeme J Jenner | BSc, MB, BS (London 1975), MRCGP |
| Dr Jonathan D Richards | MB, BS (London 1986), DRCOG, MRCGP, DPD |
| Dr Lucy E Rawson | BSc, MB, BS (London 1989), DRCOG, DCH, MRCGP |
| Dr Tamsin A Sevenoaks | MB, BS (London 1989), DFFP, RCOG |
| Surgery Opening Hours |
| Brockham |
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday | 8.00am to 6.30pm |
| Wednesday | 8.00am to 5.00pm |
| Newdigate |
| Monday Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday | 8.00am to 6.30pm |
| Thursday | 8.00am to 5.00pm |
Our Primary Health Care TeamThe DoctorsWhen one of our five partners is on leave their duties will be covered by the remaining partners and occasionally by a locum. The practice employs Dr Jacqui Mayer a qualified GP, for four sessions per week.
Surgery Manager ( Brockham)
Sue Igglesden
Surgery Manager ( Newdigate)
Judi Currie
Both Sue and Judi are responsible for the day to day running of their surgery and staff
Nurse PractitionerWe are delighted that Julie Hampshire, who has worked with us since 1990, has undergone additional studies and now holds a recognized Nurse Practitioner BSc (Hons) qualification. This means that she has advanced clinical nurse skills and can therefore offer an alternative to the doctors as a first point of contact for patients. She can manage minor illnesses, infections, injuries, chronic conditions (like diabetes and asthma), health education and family planning. Julie can be seen within booked routine or same day emergency appointments.
Practice NursesAmanda Oakes-Smith, Jane Ferguson and Sheila Jenkins are available by appointment for general advice and routine procedures. They offer appointments for well man, well woman (including cervical smears), immunisations, travel vaccinations and advice, family planning, HRT, warfarin monitoring, diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease monitoring, diet, weight counselling and hypertension.
Healthcare Assistant
Pauline Fowler and Janyne Hodgson, (at Brockham) and Sue Gauntlett (at Newdigate) offer appointments to take blood, blood pressures and ECGs.
District NursesOur district nursing team, led by Jennifer Brightwell, offers care for the house-bound in their homes (ring Medwyns Centre 01306 743363 if you wish to leave a message or speak to a District Nurse).
Health Visitors
The Health Visitor team can be contacted between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday on 01306 743341. They are available to give advice and support to families with young children. They also run an 8 week baby immunisation clinic at Brockham and a monthly 8 week immunisation clinic at the Newdigate Surgery.
Midwives
Our midwifery team, led by Liz Barrow, provide help and advice throughout the pregnancy and postnatal period.
Receptionists
Our receptionists will assist you to make the best use of the services available.
New Patients
We are pleased to accept any new patients living within our practice area. We cover an area with boundaries including parts of Reigate and Dorking in the north, extending to Capel, Rusper, Faygate, Ifield and Charlwood in the south. We therefore include North and South Holmwood, Beare Green, Newdigate, Betchworth, Leigh and Norwood Hill. Please check with either surgery if you are unsure whether your address is included. We register patients either at the Newdigate or the Brockham surgery depending on their address. All new patients are requested to attend for an initial health check with the practice nurse.
You may request to be registered with a particular GP, but this does not affect the service we provide for you. We do not choice to only their registered GP, which means patients can choose to see any of our doctors and may even choose to see different doctors for different problems.
Consultations
Consultations with the doctors and nurses are always by appointment only. Appointments can be made by telephoning Brockham surgery on 01737 843259 or Newdigate surgery on 01306 631242. Patients with urgent medical problems will always be seen the same day by the duty doctor. We cannot offer appointments the same day for patients� social convenience. As you are in the best position to make an initial judgement, please let our receptionist know if you feel that your medical problem means that you need to be seen the same day. If you are unable to keep your appointment please let us know so that we can offer it to someone else.
Telephone Advice
If you need some advice from the doctor over the telephone then the best time to ring is between 11.00 and 11.30am. You may be asked to ring back at a later time if the doctor is still in morning surgery.
Emergencies
A doctor is available 24 hours a day to help you. If the surgery is closed telephone 01737 843259 and your call will be transferred to the out-of-hours service. Our out-of-hours service is provided by an organization called Thamesdoc and is arranged by the Surrey Primary Care Trust.
Home Visits
Other than in an emergency, please request your home visit before 10.30am. If at all possible please make every effort to attend the surgery, as our practice covers a large area and the doctor can see several patients in the time it takes for one visit. Home visits are only available for the house-bound or those too ill to attend surgery.
Repeat Prescriptions
If you are on a repeat prescription then you can deliver or post your computer print-out (please tick the drugs you need) or written request to the surgery. If you want your prescription returned by post then you must include a stamped, addressed envelope. Unless you indicate otherwise we will assume that requests sent to Brockham should be forwarded to the chemist in Brockham to be prepared for collection (from the chemist) and that requests sent to Newdigate are to be prepared at the surgery. Please allow four working days for your prescription to be prepared. Patients at Brockham can also have their prescriptions posted to Medwyn Pharmacy in Dorking for collection. The pharmacy offers late and weekend collection by the patient). Please allow seven days for this service to allow for the post.
Results
The doctors cannot assess results until after morning surgery, so please telephone between 3.00pm and 5.00pm for your result. In order to maintain confidentiality, results will only be given to the person to whom they refer. Except for children under 16 years old.
Confidentiality
Your medical records are held in strictest confidence. Information is only passed on with your consent, within the confines of the NHS, by law, or in the public interest. The practice is computerised and all details of your medical records are kept on computer. These are strictly confidential and the practice is registered with the Data Protection Act
Freedom Of Information - Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the classes of information the practice intends to routinely make available. This scheme is available from reception.
Disabled Patients
Both of our surgeries have easy access for disabled patients and all our consulting rooms are on the ground floor. Both surgeries have toilets specially designed for disabled patients.
GP Training
The practice has been accredited since August 1997 as being suitable for the training of those doctors intending to become general practitioners. This means that the practice and doctors have had to achieve a number of standards which have been assessed by the GP Deanery for Kent, Surrey and Sussex, acting on behalf of The Joint Committee for Postgraduate Training in General Practice. Dr Richards and Dr Rawson are approved trainers.
Information About GP Registrars
Doctors training to become GPs are called GP Registrars.
The GP Registrar is a fully qualified doctor who is likely to have a lot of experience of hospital medicine.
Any doctor who wishes to become a GP must undergo specific training. Usually this training takes three years, including one year in general practice and four six-month sessions in different specialities at the local hospital.
You can expect to receive from the GP Registrar the same quality of service you would receive from your own GP.
In order for the GP Registrars to successfully complete their training, they need to be assessed on their consulting skills. This is done by the appointed assessors viewing a video of the Registrar's consultations. You may be asked for your permission to have your consultation recorded in this way. If you agree, you will need to give your written permission. You will be offered a consent form, available at reception. If the doctor appears to be recording your consultation and you have not signed a consent form, then you should indicate this to him or her immediately. The recording will be used for educational purposes only. Further information about this process, and the confidentiality of it, can be obtained from the reception staff.
To ensure that the practice continues to meet the standards for training in the KSS Deanery, the practice and the doctors will be subject to regular inspection visits (normally every three years). At this inspection another doctor will assess the quality of the patients� records. If you do not want your own record to be available for inspection then please inform the practice of your wishes and they will be respected. Please ask any member of the reception staff for further information if needed.
Comments/complaints
If you wish to make any comments about our service then please approach either one of the doctors or the manager. We have a practice-based complaints system, so if you want to make a complaint then please put it in writing and we will reply promptly. We wish to continue to improve the service we offer, so we are always pleased to hear your views.
Special Services
Diabetic Clinic
All diabetic patients are asked to see the nurse practitioner, Julie Hampshire, who is specifically trained in diabetic care. Dr Jenner and Julie Hampshire both run a diabetic clinic on Monday mornings at Brockham.
Asthma Clinic
All asthma patients are advised to see the practice nurse for an annual review.
Antenatal Clinic
A booking clinic (Wednesday afternoon) and a routine follow up clinic (Monday afternoon) are available by appointment weekly at the Brockham surgery.
Child And Baby Clinic
There is a weekly clinic for immunisations, developmental checks and advice on Tuesdays at Brockham and monthly at Newdigate Surgery.
Minor Surgery
Many minor operations are easily and more conveniently performed at the surgery by the doctors. Dr Jenner and Dr Richards have undergone training to perform more advanced minor surgery.
Family Planning
We provide a full range of family planning including the pill, coil, cap and post-coital contraception. Our practice nurses are trained in family planning and will see patients by appointment. Dr Sevenoaks runs a family planning clinic on a Thursday afternoon from 2 - 3.30 p.m.
Travel Clinic
Advice for travellers is provided by the practice nurses who are specially trained. They can provide all vaccinations including yellow fever. If possible please make an appointment at least six weeks before departure. You can also ring the surgery and leave a message for one of our practice nurses if you have any query regarding your vaccinations. One of the nurses will then telephone you to discuss your travel enquiry.
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist from Dorking Hospital comes to Brockham each Wednesday. Patients need a referral from a GP to see the physiotherapist.
Counselling
We have two counsellors who come to Brockham for three sessions per week. Patients need a referral from a GP to see a counsellor.
Optician
Mr Paul Whiteman, an optician from Reigate, offers appointments at Brockham surgery on every third Wednesday afternoon - these can be booked directly by patients through the surgery (no referral is necessary).
PRIMARY CARE TRUST
Our contract with the NHS to provide general medical services and enhanced services is held by the Surrey Primary Care Trust, Cedar Court, Guildford Road, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9RX, Telephone 01372 227300. It commissions services on our behalf at the local hospitals. They can be contacted for details of primary care services in the area.
DORKING HEALTHCARE LLP
WHAT IS DORKING HEALTHCARE?
Dorking Healthcare Limited Liability Partnership is a new organisation formed by local GPs to provide high quality, local and timely outpatient appointments for patients of the Dorking practices. These services are provided in the outpatients department at Dorking Hospital.
The aims are to:
- increase the range of services provided at Dorking Hospital,
- make sure that Dorking patients are seen at Dorking Hospital rather than at East Surrey or Epsom Hospitals,
- reduce waiting times for appointments,
- ensure that almost all appointments are with a consultant,
- attract experienced and dynamic consultants to work in Dorking,
- develop a close working arrangement between the Dorking GPs and the consultants,
- make savings to re-invest to develop more services in Dorking.
HOW IS DORKING HEALTHCARE FUNDED?
The Surrey Primary Care Trust has responsibility for the commissioning (purchasing) of services for Dorking patients. The PCT has decided to purchase some of the outpatient services for Dorking patients from Dorking Healthcare.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR GP AND DORKING HEALTHCARE CONSULTANTS
One of the main reasons for developing Dorking Healthcare is to create a closer working relationship between GPs and consultants. We will develop a new understanding over how patient care should happen in each speciality. This will have many benefits, including:
- GPs organising more investigations (eg. x-rays or laboratory tests) so these are available when a patient sees a consultant. This should mean that decisions on treatment can be taken at the first appointment and not need the delay and cost of a second appointment.
- An increased understanding amongst GPs about when to refer patients to a specialist for certain conditions.
- GPs increasingly following up patients under care plans drawn up by consultants or after operations.
WILL MY GP REFER ME TO DORKING HEALTHCARE SERVICES?
Your GP will always refer you to the best service for your individual needs. Who you are referred to is always a joint decision between you and your GP.
We expect many referrals will be made to Dorking Healthcare consultants because in these cases the best option for the patient will be to see a well respected consultant, with a short waiting time, in a local facility.
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUESTION?
If you have a general enquiry or question about an appointment then you need to speak to the receptionists at Dorking Hospital Outpatients Department : phone 01306 887150. If you have a specific question about Dorking Healthcare then please contact the manager, Mrs Linda Edwards, on 01306 887150.
Further information is available on our website www.dorkinghealthcare.co.uk This includes a list of Dorking Healthcare clinicians and current waiting times for appointments.
Self Treatment of Common Illnesses and Accidents
Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home without the need to consult a doctor.
Ears
Ear wax can often be cleared by lubricating the affected ear ( s) with 1-2 drops of olive oil once or twice a day for a week. If this does not work, please make an appointment to see a nurse to have your ears checked and possibly syringed.
Back Pain
Back pain causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each year. The spine supports the whole weight of the upper body so it is understandable that it sometimes goes wrong.
Because of the complex nature of the spine it is advisable to consult your doctor if back pain persists for more than a few days. If, as is usual, the pain has been caused by abuse ie lifting too heavy weights etc, be sensible and take things easy. Take care to sit as upright as possible with a support for the small of the back.
Take aspirin or paracetamol which will not only relieve the pain but will help to relieve inflammation. Your doctor may well prescribe stronger drugs, heat treatment, gentle exercise or some kind of supportive corset. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age.
Burns
Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes! If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose, dry dressing.
If the burn is larger than four or five inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Colds
Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish, take aspirin or paracetamol. Do not bother to take antibiotics as these will have no effect! Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age.
Diarrhoea
In an adult, diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral infection and is therefore unable to be treated directly. The symptoms can usually be eased by the traditional kaolin and morphine mixture or by medicines containing codeine.
Holiday diarrhoea is often due to bacteria. Again, kaolin and morphine can be taken.
Consult a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a few days.
Diarrhoea in very young children and babies need careful attention. Most babies have loose bowel action during their first six month due to their predominantly liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking the baby off solids and feeding them a cooled solution of boiled water with a teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt to the pint. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, or are accompanied by vomiting or weakness, consult a doctor.
Nosebleeds
Sit in a chair, lean forward with your mouth open, and pinch your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or hot food for 24 hours. If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Minor Cuts And Grazes
Wash the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop bleeding apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about five minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing.
Sunburn
Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation whilst paracetamol will also help. Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn and great care should be taken to avoid over-exposure to the harmful effects of the sun.
Insect Bites And Stings
Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most syptoms. Note: bee stings should be scraped away rather than plucked in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.
The Family Medicine Chest
Here is a list of useful medicines and dressings with a description of their uses. All are quite cheap and worth stocking at home in readiness for minor illnesses. Keep them in a box or cupboard with a lock - or store them well out of reach of children.
Soluble Aspirin Tablets
For adults and children over 16 years old. Good for headaches, colds, sores throats and painful bruises.
Paracetamol Mixture
For relief of pain or fever in young children.
Sedative Cough Linctus
For dry or painful coughs - but not coughs caused by common colds.
Menthol Crystals
Add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.
Vapour Rub
Again for steam inhalations. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub on the chest and nose.
Antiseptic Solution
One teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes.
Antiseptic Cream
For treating septic spots, sores in the nose and grazes.
Calamine Lotion
For dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites, stings and sunburn.
Dressing Strips
For minor cuts - 3" Wide Crepe Bandage. To keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints.
Cotton Wool
For cleaning cuts and grazes.
Thermometer
For fevers.
Tweezers
For removing splinters. Remember that your local chemist can give you advice about medicines.
Smoking
Why Give Up?
- Over 100,000 people die each year in the UK from smoking-related diseases.
- Every cigarette you smoke can shorten your life by an average of five and a half minutes.
- Babies of smokers are, on average, 200 grammes smaller than those of non smokers.
- Smokers smell!
How To Give Up
Stopping smoking is all about motivation. Without the real desire to give up you are unable to succeed. You must want to give up rather than feel you should give up.
Set a date a week or so in the future when you intent to stop.
Tell all your friends, relations and work colleagues that you�re giving up on that day and ask for their support and encouragement. If at all possible, find someone to give up with you.
When the big day comes, plan it carefully with plenty to keep you occupied. Avoid situations where the desire to smoke will be strongest such as whilst drinking.
Finally, carefully put the money you would have spent on cigarettes on one side, each day, to save up for some special treat as a reward.
If you�ve tried everything and failed but are still keen to give up, seek help from your doctor.
Preventing A Relapse
Whenever you feel the need for a cigarette, go back to the procedure which helped you give up in the first place. Avoid complacency and remember that you�re a non smoker! Think how unpleasant smokers smell now that you�ve given up.
Do you want to smell like them?
Alcohol
A Little Of What You Fancy....
Alcohol is a depressant which has the affect of dulling the brain and nervous system.
In small quantities, alcohol can actually be beneficial to health. In large quantities, on a regular basis, it can have a very serious negative effect on health. At one extreme it can kill.
CIRRHOSIS of the liver, for instance, is killing an increasing number of people, as are drivers who are over the limit. At the other end of the scale, excess consumption of alcohol can lead to poor co-ordination, impaired vision, a weakening of the immune system, impotence and obesity.
What Is A Safe Limit?
An accepted safe limit is 28 units a week for men and 21 units for women, a unit being approximately a glass of wine, half a pint of beer or a single measure of spirit. The recommended maximum presumes that the consumption is spread throughout the week and not consumed all at once in a 'binge'.
A man's liver can process only eight units of alcohol within a 24 hour period and can take 72 hours to recover fully. It is easy to see how easy it is to damage this vital organ.
How To Cut Down
How about a bottle of mineral water instead of wine with your lunch? Always drink water alongside wine with a meal and try a spritzer (wine mixed with mineral water) instead of a straight glass of wine.
How To Avoid A Hangover
The most effective way to avoid a hangover is not to drink too much! Failing that, if you have overindulged, drinking large quantities of water before going to bed is very effective in warding off the worst effects.
A Healthy Diet
You Are What You Eat...
If your diet is lacking, your body has ways of letting you know. For example, you may be overweight or underweight or you may have a spotty complexion or constipation. Ultimately, a bad diet can lead to serious problems such as heart disease. A good diet helps fight off disease and makes you look and feel good.
Eight Steps To A Healthier Diet 1. Reduce your consumption of refined carbohydrates such as white flour and white sugar. Your daily consumption of sugar should not exceed two ounces - and that includes all the sugar already present in food, particularly processed food!
2. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Aim to make them over 80% of your daily intake of food.
3. Cut down on your fat intake. Choose lean meats or trim off fat. Use low fat spreads and cooking oil which is low in saturates.
4. Choose wholemeal bread in preference to white.
5. Try nuts and dried fruit as a treat instead of sweets and chocolates.
6. Drink at least two pints of water every day.
7. Avoid the British habit of overcooking vegetables. It causes a massive loss of minerals and vitamins. Steaming or microwaving is a much better way of cooking vegetables. than boiling them.
8. Cut down on your salt intake. Never, for example, add salt to your food before tasting to see whether it is needed.
Exercise
It helps to reduce weight
It helps to reduce strokes
It makes you feel and look better
Once you have found a form of exercise you enjoy, do it:
Often enough - two or three times a week for 20 - 30 minutes
Hard enough - to make you fairly breathless
Long enough - it must become part of your life for good
Remember: if you are not used to exercise start slowly and build up gradually
Both doctors and nurses will be happy to advise you and your family about these important factors in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
BROCKHAM TIMETABLE
This timetable changes when the doctors are on leave.
| Monday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Drs Kober, Jenner, Mayer, Rawson & Registrar |
| Monday Evening 4.00 - 6.30 | Drs Kober, Jenner, & Registrar |
| Tuesday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Drs Kober, Rawson & Sevenoaks & Registrar |
| Tuesday Evening 4.00 - 6.30 | Drs Richards, Rawson & Registrar |
| Wednesday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Drs Kober, Jenner, Mayer |
| Wednesday Afternoon 2.00 - 4.00 | Drs Kober & Mayer |
| Thursday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Drs Richards, Rawson, Sevenoaks & Registrar |
| Thursday Evening 4.00 - 6.30 | Drs Richards, Sevenoaks & Registrar |
| Friday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Drs Jenner, Richards & Registrar |
| Friday Afternoon 2.30 - 4.30 | Drs Kober/Jenner, Richards in rotation) |
| Friday Evening 4.00 - 6.30 | Drs Kober/ Jenner Richards (in rotation) |
NEWDIGATE TIMETABLE
This timetable changes when the doctors or practice nurses are on leave.
|
| Monday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Dr Sevenoaks |
| Monday Evening 4.00 - 6.00 | Drs Rawson & Registrar |
| Tuesday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Dr Mayer |
| Tuesday Evening 4.00 - 6.30 | Dr Kober |
| Wednesday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Dr Mayer |
| Wednesday Evening 4.00 - 6.30 | Dr Jenner |
| Thursday Morning 8.30 - 11.00 | Dr Rawson |
| Thursday Evening 2.00 - 3.30 | Dr Jenner |
| Friday Morning 8.30 - 11.0 | Dr Kober |
| Friday Evening 4.00 - 6.30 | Drs Jenner/Richards |
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Dorking Hospital Outpatients 01306 887150
East Surrey Hospital 01737 768511
Epsom General Hospital 01372 735735
Crawley Hospital 01293 600300
NHS Direct 0845 46 47
Social Services (Dorking Locality) 01306 888033
Department of Social Security 01483 442400
Police 0845 125 2222
Dental Emergency Service 01737 768511
Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages (Mole Valley) 01 372 832800
Relate Marriage Guidance 0845 1304010
Relate (Reigate Branch) 01 737 245212
National Drugs Helpline 0800 776600
Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 1671677
Samaritans 0845 7909090
NHS Direct also has a useful website (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk) for health information and on-line advice.
Please check with either surgery if you are unsure whether you live within our practice area.
Sue Igglesden
Surgery Manager