Rothwell & Desborough Health Care Group

THE PRACTITIONERS

Due to NHS contractual changes introduced in 2004, patients are now registered with the practice rather than with individual doctors. The individual doctors may provide consultations at either of our premises as required to ensure adequate cover to meet service requirements. Patients living in Rothwell will be registered with the Rothwell Practice and Desborough patients at the Desborough Surgery. All patients will have a named doctor in the practice and this will be their nominated 'usual doctor'.

PRACTICE/BUSINESS MANAGER

Mrs Susan Ackermann BA (Hons) (based at Desborough)

ASSISTANT PRACTICE MANAGER

Mrs Tina Wardiell

ADMINISTRATION SUPERVISORS

Rothwell - Mrs Steph Jones
Desborough - Mrs Lyn Separovic

PRACTICE NURSE SUPERVISOR

Mrs Carolyn Giordano (based at Rothwell)

Specialist nurse practitioner responsible for our clinical team.

PRACTICE TEAM MEMBERS

RECEPTIONISTS:

Our receptionists ease your day-to-day contact with the clinical team and are trained to deal with your personal details in a sympathetic and confidential manner. They have to pass on sufficient information for the doctors to judge how we can best meet your needs, particularly where you think your problem needs urgent attention. So please give them the information they request.

SECRETARIAL AND CLERICAL STAFF:

They are responsible for the efficient handling of your written and electronic medical records, and ensure prompt and effective communication with other organisations such as hospitals with regard to appointments etc.

PRACTICE NURSES:

The practice nurses are trained to deal with wound/ulcer dressings, injections, minor infections, blood tests, suture removal and general nursing advice. They also give advice on foreign travel and family planning, and have particular interests in asthma, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, HRT, weight control and smoking cessation.

ATTACHED STAFF

The following groups of staff are employed by the Northamptonshire Heartlands Primary Care Trust but are based in our surgery premises. They provide services at both Rothwell and Desborough unless otherwise stated.

DISTRICT NURSES:

The district nursing team provides skilled nursing care for patients of all age groups in their own home, eg long term care, wound/ulcer dressings, regular injections and care for patients with cancer and/or terminal disease. They liaise with your doctor and other members of the team, and also with social services. They also provide you with information about nursing care in the home and other social support services where appropriate.

HEALTH VISITORS:

The health visitors offer advice on all aspects of preventative healthcare and postnatal support including home visits, immunisation promotion and family education. They are involved with child health promotion and parentcraft. They run weekly drop-in clinics for parents with children of pre-school age.

Where appropriate, they will liaise with doctors, district nurses, social workers and other agencies. For further information on clinic times or to make an appointment, please contact either surgery.

COMMUNITY MIDWIVES:

The community midwives hold booking clinics, antenatal clinics, parent-craft classes and do home visits as required. They are able to advise about normal pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal period and deal with any related problems that may arise.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST:

There is a speech and language therapist based at Rothwell Health Centre. She deals with speech and language problems in infants and young children.

She can be seen either by self-referral or referral by your doctor or health visitor.

COUNSELLORS:

The counsellors provide one-to-one sessions. They can help people clarify their thoughts and feelings, explore their options for the future, and reach their own decisions, which can often produce major changes in their lives.

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS:

Physiotherapy services are provided at Desborough Surgery. Appointments follow referral by your doctor or by the self-referral scheme (call 01536 493643 between 1.00 and 5.00pm weekdays. For recent muscle, joint and bone problems only.) The surgery receptionists cannot book appointments for you.

PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE:

We have a phlebotomy outreach service from Kettering General Hospital for five mornings per week. It is available at Rothwell on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Desborough hosts the service each Friday morning.