NHS General Practice

The Fairlands Practice is a partnership of six doctors and two associates working from our main surgery in Worplesdon, near Guildford, Surrey and a branch surgery in the nearby village of Normandy. We provide services in modern, purpose built medical centres and offer both NHS and a range of private services. The main surgery was opened in 1998 and offers the additional on-site facilities of Rowlands Pharmacy and the Fairlands Dental Centre. The branch surgery at Glaziers Lane, Normandy has a dispensary for eligible patients. All of our main consulting rooms are on the ground floor and both surgeries provide facilities for the disabled to access all of the services available.

We are a GP training Practice and have registrars in General Practice who are in the final stages of their training. They are fully qualified with at least three years postgraduate hospital experience and are available for consultation alongside the partners. We also have other doctors and nurses undertaking training at this Practice, both undergraduate and postgraduate under the new Foundation Teaching Programme, seeking to gain experience in community and General Practice work. All doctors, whether or not they are to be general practitioners now have to spend time in general practice and we hope to offer them a valuable experience here.

We are always looking to gather your views on the services offered at the Practice. Please contact Sarah Casemore, Practice Manager, with any comments or suggestions that you may have.

New -- the November practice newsletter is available here

LATEST NEWS FROM THE PRACTICE

NEW -- In response to patient feedback... a number of concerns have been raised via the patient questionnaire regarding the privacy and confidentiality of the waiting area and reception desk at Fairlands. We held a small patient group one Saturday morning earlier this month to discuss the problems and possible solutions in more detail. There is a concern that the front desk is not always staffed as the reception team are busy "behind the wall" on the telephones. They do have access to CCTV to see who is waiting once they become free, but patients would prefer to see someone straight away. So over the next few weeks we will be changing the check-in process and directing patients to a window behind reception where matters can be discussed in privacy before going through to the wider reception area. We are hoping to relocate the self check-in screen to an area that cannot be overseen by others, but this is more complex than first thought. So on arrival, you have the choice of self check-in or to be seen by a receptionist who is also there to make future appointments should you require them. Before making any permanent changes, we would appreciate your feedback. Please let us know what you think - both positive and negative! You may also notice the chairs have been updated in reception. This is a requirement as we work towards our CQC (Care Quality Commission) registration & compliance.

Amazing number! Between 1st December 2011 and 25 January 2012 (just 44 working days), a total of 98 appointments were wasted as patients FAILED to attend the surgery. This not only wastes the time of the clinician involved but also prevents the appointment being offered to someone else leading to a delay in appointments being offered. Please let us know in advance if you cannot make your appointment.

'Cold? Flu? Take care not antibiotics!' is the message being publicised this year across Europe. It is important that antibiotics are only taken when absolutely necessary as determined by a doctor. The increasing use of these drugs is making bacteria more resistant and it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that they are not taken for viral infections i.e. coughs, colds and flu.

The on -line patient feedback survey is available here. This survey has been developed in close conjunction with our patient group and concentrates on the issues that are important to them. It only takes a few minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. It is also available in paper form from reception desks. We have received over 200 completed questionnaires and really welcome your comments, observations & suggestions. Thank you to all who have taken the time to complete one so far. We will publish a report about the findings and subsequent actions taken towards the end of March.

Your Practice needs You!

Would you like to have a say about the services provided at Fairlands and Normandy surgeries?

We would like to hear views on our services from a wide cross section of our patients and invite you to join an 'virtual' patient group which ideally corresponds by email or by post/telephone if you would prefer. If you are interested in joining the group please email sarahcasemore@nhs.net

• For the latest NOVEMBER 2011 Practice Newsletter please click here
• For the latest Practice Leaflet please click here

when the surgery is closed....

Please find below a list of services which can be contacted when the surgery is closed.

• Surrey GP Out of Hours Service take telephone calls when the surgery is closed between 6.30pm and 8am weekdays and on weekends & Bank Holidays. They have a base at RSCH but may do home visits if they feel it is required. Telephone 0300 130 1305

• There is a walk-in centre at Woking Community Hospital, Heathside Road, Woking GU22 7HS telephone 01483 846209 which is open Monday to Friday 7am-7.30pm, weekends & Bank Holidays 9am-7pm

• There is no longer a walk-in centre at RSCH

• Frimley Park Hospital does NOT have a walk-in centre either

• Please only attend A&E if clinically necessary

Contraceptive Pill Checks

We are pleased to announce that pill checks are now offered by our Practice Nurses. If you need a pill check before your next prescription is issued, please make an appointment via reception. This latest development will allow a greater number of appointments to now be available with Doctors to discuss other matters.

Appointments

If you are unable to keep an appointment with a Doctor or Nurse , please email feedback@fairlands.co.uk or telephone 01483 594250