THE GENERAL PRACTITIONERS

THE HEALTH CARE TEAM

Practice Manager

The manager is responsible for the practice's strategic direction and achieving success under the new GMS contract. The manager deals mainly with day-to-day management and aims to facilitate the smooth running of the practice. She will be pleased to discuss any non-medical problems that you may have and also to receive any suggestions you may have for improving the services offered. We welcome feedback from patients. She is also responsible for personnel issues and addressing practice complaints

Assistant Practice Manager:

The assistant practice manager deputises for the practice manager and shares the responsibility for the smooth running of the practice.

Secretary:

The secretary deals mainly with the typing of referral letters and liaising with hospitals.

Reception / Admin Team

The receptionists will take your name on arrival, make appointments, deal with telephone calls and enquiries. They can give the results of some laboratory tests and arrange transport for hospital appointments (only on the first hospital appointment). They have a very difficult job to do and we should be grateful for your tolerance especially with new staff. It is a legal requirement that confidentiality of patients' records is maintained at the highest level by all staff.

Practice Nurses

The practice nurses are fully qualified to carry out:

Health Care Assistant

The HCA is qualified to carry out: • Health promotion • Blood pressure checks • Taking blood samples (for those unable to get to hospital) • Dressings and removal of sutures • Smoking cessation.

(For appointments see How Do I Make An Appointment.)

The Primary Care Trust also employs district nurses and health visitors who work from within the medical centre and whose duties are shown here:

District Nurses: 020 7771 3751 (Urgent Matters)

There are three district nurses who are available to see you in your home and help with the following:

• Dressings, removal of sutures and injections.
• Care and advice to the long term and terminally ill.
• Advice on incontinence, supply pads and other aids.

Health Visitors: 020 7358 9185

Health education, health promotion and prevention of ill health. The health visitors take special interest in children under five and their families. They work in conjunction with Sure Start.

Sure Start: 020 7635 2200

Sure Start is a government-funded project that works with families with children under four years. Through their services, they hope to improve the health, well-being and life opportunities of families, so that children are ready to flourish when they go to school, and parents receive the support they might want. Please contact the above number for more details.

Benefits Adviser

The benefits adviser provides advice on welfare benefits to patients on alternate Wednesday mornings, by appointment.

Domestic Violence Worker

A regular weekday session is held, by appointment, for victims of domestic violence.

Community Midwife

Our midwife works with the doctors to provide care for mothers before and after delivery and care for the baby in its first fortnight of life.

Osteopath

Our osteopath holds one session a week at the practice by appointment.

Phlebotomist

A phlebotomist holds two sessions a week: Tuesday and Friday 2.00 - 4.00pm

Counsellors

Our counsellors assess patients individually and counsel them or arrange for further necessary help. Appointments are made via the Acorn Surgery GP's.

Other Members Of The Mental Health Team

Psychologists from South London and Maudsley (SLAM) attend every Wednesday. They deal with complex psychological problems ie Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Psycho Dynamic Analysis.

Child Mental Health Specialist (every Wednesday afternoon)

A specialist provides a child and adolescent mental health service for 5 to 15 year olds who have a diagnosable mental health disorder.

The CLAS Team (Consultancy Liaison Addiction Service)

The team is part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust Specialist Division. They provide support, information and referral one a week for patients having problems with drugs and alcohol. To book an appointment or for further enquiries, please contact reception.

Teaching Of Undergraduate Medical Students

The practice is actively engaged in the teaching of undergraduate medical students (King's College Medicine School) and feels it is important to participate in the training of the next generation of doctors.

Patients may be asked whether they wish to be interviewed by an undergraduate medical student or whether they mind a student sitting in on the consultation with their general practitioner. There is no obligation and patients have the right to refuse if they wish.

Training

From time to time the practice employs assistants and newly qualified GPs.

Please do not hesitate to contact one of the partners or practice manager should you require further information on either of the two schemes above.