When we are Closed

If you have a life threatening emergency when we are closed please dial 999. If you have an urgent medical problem that cannot wait until we are open, the doctor on call can be contacted by telephoning the surgery number on 01404 814447. Your call will automatically transfer to the out of hours service. Devon Doctors can also be contacted directly on 0845 6710 270. Medical advice can be obtained from NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Booking Urgent Appointments

If a patient rings for an urgent appointment they will be asked to speak to the duty doctor first. The doctor will assess the patient and agree a plan with them. The plan might include referral to a nurse practitioner or practice nurse, collecting a prescription or attending an appointment with a doctor that day. The receptionists cannot by-pass this system. Please be assured that patients who have an urgent medical problem will be seen.

Self Care

There has been plenty in the press concerning pressures on the NHS and that most of us could do more to look after ourselves in a healthy way, whether it's brushing teeth, treating minor ailments at home, doing some exercise or eating healthily.

If you have a long term condition there are extra things you may need to consider. Patients with long term conditions are invited to Expert Patients Programme. This is a self management course which is free for patients who live with a long term health condition.

The course looks at ways to help you manage living with your health condition. Participants report they have felt more confident and more in control of their lives since doing this course.

A similar course is available for anyone with caring responsibilities for someone with a long term health condition or disability, called the "Looking After Me" course.

To reserve your place on these courses or speak to the organiser, please contact 0800 073 0792 (calls to this number are free). Leave your name and telephone number and a member of the team will call you back.

The Expert Patient Programme and Looking After Me are services commissioned by NHS Devon.

Ottery St Mary Medical Trust

The Trust was established in 1990 to provide equipment and facilities that are not normally available from the National Health Service e.g. nebulisers, heart and blood pressure monitors. Funds are received in the form of donations and bequests usually from patients and their families. Donations are always welcome and can be made through Anne Maher (Trust Secretary) or any of the GP Partners (The Trustees). The registered charity number for the Trust is 1002091.

Medicines that are no longer required

Please note that we cannot accept any medicines that are no longer required. These should be returned to the pharmacy from which they were obtained.

Staff News

Welcome to Helen Wakelin, Health Care Assistant. Helen has been covering maternity leave and will job share with Emma Mullenger. We also say hello to Gaenor Wearing who has a dual role as PA to the Practice Manager and Medical Secretary.

Car Park

Our car park is continually congested with cars, many of which could be parked in the Land of Canaan car park. We are concerned at the number of minor bumps and near misses and if you park in our car park, you do so at your own risk. Please park considerately in the designated bays, otherwise you may be asked to move your vehicle before you can attend your appointment. Thank you for your co operation.

Those attending flu clinics are asked to park in Land of Canaan car park.

Fundraising

Dr Sam Cole and Dr Kate Gurney have just completed a fundraising swim for The Oxford Craniofacial Unit. This is the only centre in the UK for people with some of the rarer craniofacial conditions. Dr Cole and Dr Gurney swam from Europe to Asia across Dardonelles (one of the world's busiest shipping lanes). If you would like to support them please visit their fundraising webpage at www.justgiving.com/samantha-cole1

Announcement for Patients Registered with Dr Siggers

Dr Siggers will be leaving the practice on 30th September to move to Hampshire with her family.

We hope that Dr Siggers' patients will continue their care with Dr Sally Caswell who is currently working here as a locum GP.

We would like to thank Dr Siggers for the care she has provided for patients and we wish her all the very best for the future.

Messages to Patients using Text (SMS) and Email

We have had a good response from patients who would be happy to receive electronic messages from us, but we would like to encourage more of you to consider this option. With your permission we can now arrange to contact you via email or Text message (SMS). We will only text or email you with messages that are relevant to your ongoing health care e.g. appointment confirmation and reminder, test results, health screening opportunities etc. If you would like to receive messages from us via email or text (SMS) please complete a consent form so that we can record your agreement on your patient record. Forms are available on the Reception & Prescription desks, in the Branch Surgeries and also on our website.