Havelock Grange Practice Merger Announcement 2009

On behalf of the partners and staff, we would like to inform you of the planned merger of the Havelock Practice, Grange House Surgery and Brierton Medical Centre (Branch Surgery) from 1^st April 2009. The new GP practice will be known as the Havelock Grange Practice

The combined Practice will work as one to deliver better services for all our patients into the future. We have made the decision to merge based on the following: -

• The two practices have the same ethos – high quality care for all patients
• Improvement in choice of accessing appointments on all three sites – the practice will monitor this and shift workforce as appropriate
• Improved access for disabled patients due to facilities at Victoria Road Health Centre & Brierton Medical Centre
• Greater choice of Doctors, Nurses and Health Care Team to patients
• Improved continuity of care for patients and better emergency access. 
• Wider range of services available to patients
• Both practices are committed to and involved in both training and teaching.  This will continue and help to aid recruitment and retention of Doctors in the practice and the town.  It will also help us to continue to improve the quality of our services.

You do not need to take any action as a result of the merger – you will continue to be registered with your current GP and will continue to be able to visit your Surgery as normal for appointments and other services as before. However, you will also have the option of visiting any of the Practice locations if that is more convenient for you. They will be:

Havelock Practice – Health Centre, Victoria Road

Grange House Surgery, 22 Grange Road

Brierton Medical Centre, Earlsferry Road

Premises: all 3 sites will remain in use over the next 12 – 18months.  Patients can be assured that whichever site you choose to visit, clinicians and staff will be able to access your medical record.  Once the new Town Centre Development is complete in May 2010, we will then vacate the premises at Havelock Practice & Grange House Surgery.  The new practice will then work from 2 sites, namely the Hartlepool Community Health Centre (Park Road) and Brierton Medical Centre.

The doctors at the new practice will be:

We firmly believe that the changes you notice as a result of this merger will be positive.

If you have any queries about the merger or would like to share your thoughts and ideas please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or letter.

Cynthia Neil, Practice Manager – Havelock Practice (01429 272000)

Michelle Martin, Practice Manager – Grange House Surgery ( 01429 272679)

New Patients

Our practice list is open and we are accepting new patients. If you live within our practice area and wish to join our practice list, please phone or come along to the surgery for further information. You will be asked to attend a new patient check with our practice nurse and your general health will be assessed from basic checks such as, weight, blood pressure, urine and current medication.

We can only provide medical assistance to patients registered with us under the National Health Service and would in all cases suggest you contact your usual doctor if you need to discuss your medical condition.

Extended hours GP appointments at Brierton Medical Centre, Hartlepool

From July 2008, we will be offering a Saturday morning extended hours GP surgery at Brierton Medical Centre. This surgery is for pre-booked appointments only and is open to all patients registered with our practice. Emergency and ‘on the day’ medical care at the weekends in Hartlepool will continue to be handled by the Hartlepool PCT Out-of-hours service.

Click here for more information about the new Brierton GP extended hours service

Changes to Repeat Prescriptions April 2009

It will no longer possible to order your repeat prescription over the telephone for the following reasons.

• Patient safety, unfortunately there have been many incidents of patients trying to order medication by colour, shape or size and expecting the administrative team to second guess their medication.  This is an unsafe process and has frustrated patients when the wrong assumption has been made
• Wastage, in conjunction with the Primary Care Trust campaign on “Medicines Wastage”

Click here to find out more about the changes on how to order your repeat prescription: Repeat prescriptions

Out of Hours Health Services

Hartlepool PCT is responsible for providing out of hours care. For urgent medical help when your GP surgery is closed 6 pm - 8 am, Monday to Thursday, and 6 pm Friday to 8 am Monday and throughout Bank Holidays call the Hartlepool PCT Out-of-hours service on (01429) 270205. You can also contact NHS Direct for advice

Email

At present this web site is not maintained from the surgery, so no attempt should be made to contact the staff or doctors  for medical purposes through email as we do not have the facilities to reply on a daily basis. This is not an on-line medical advice service.

New Surgery Premises

Work started in February 2008 on a new multi-million pound Hartlepool Community Health Centre, which is being developed as a LIFT project by Hartlepool PCT in the centre of town. It is hoped that the town centre development will expand the range of health services available for patients.

In May 2010 we will be closing the Grange House Surgery site and moving into the new Park Road primary care centre. We will continue to work from the Brierton Medical Centre Site.

Click on the links below for more details

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Work-under-way-on-19m.3756126.jp

Hartlepool Community Health Centre Plans (pdf)

Hartlepool NHS Healthcare Centre

The walk-in centre opened in May 2009 and provides patients with additional choice and access to healthcare in Hartlepool. It is an 8am to 8pm GP service, open to patients with or without an appointment, 365 days per year and is based at Victoria Road Health Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool TS26 8DB. (Tel. 01429 890 947). The Centre is in addition to, and works alongside and complements, other GP surgeries in the area and does not replace their service. Patients can therefore use the Centre as well as the services of their own GP.

Click on the link for more details: Hartlepool NHS Healthcare Centre

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