Dr Keating has left the practice

It is with regret that we have to announce that Dr Fergus Keating left us at the end of June 2010. He is to take up a new post looking after the Chelsea Pensioners. We all wish him the best of luck in his new position.

Dr Susanne Goddard will be joining us part-time on the 1st of July as an interim measure.

Winter Vomiting Virus

Properly known as Norovirus, it is currently sweeping through the country. This causes an acute gastroenteritis (upset stomach). Noroviruses are also called the "winter vomiting disease" because people tend to get them during the winter months. However, they can occur at any time of the year. They often spread rapidly through institutions like nurseries, schools, hospitals and homes.

The first symptom is usually a sudden onset of nausea, which is followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Symptoms normally last between 12-60 hours. Most people make a full recovery within one to two days. However, the diarrhoea may last slightly longer. There is no specific treatment for a norovirus, apart from letting the condition run its course. Information sheet here (pdf). See full details on NHS Choices here.

Dr Ruth Milton, Director of Public Health for Surrey, explains: “As ever, prevention is better than cure and people can reduce their chances of becoming ill by paying good attention to hand hygiene. This means washing your hands regularly, especially before meals, to prevent germs spreading".

“If you get a tummy bug, it’s vital you don’t visit hospitals as this increases the risk of spreading the infection to patients and staff and can lead to wards being closed. We understand it’s difficult if you want to visit friends and family but please wait until you’re better. Bugs like these spread easily so please stay at home until symptoms have disappeared and you have been well for at least two full days."

We wish you a healthy and prosperous 2010!

Swine Flu Clinics

See our Swine Flu page for details

Extended Hours

From August 2009 we have joined the many GP surgeries who are offering late evening appointments. These are sessions in addition to our normal opening hours. They are intended for patients who work and therefore cannot normally attend during normal surgery hours.

These are routine (non-emergency) appointments bookable in advance.

As the main doors are closed at 18.30hrs we use the "Out of Hours" entrance at the car park side of the building (see map). It is clearly signed as "Out of Hours".

New Smoking Cessation Clinics

Our Practice Nurse Anstice runs our smoking cessation clinic. If you want to quit smoking she will counsel you and help you choose the best aid to quit from many the patches and pills etc. You will set a quit date and be followed up with counseling and carbon monoxide level monitoring.

It is proven that more people quit with the support of a health professional than on their own. Try us!

The appointments are flexible so please ask for a time that better suits you if you like. If you are unsure whether to attend please telephone nurse Anstice for guidance.

NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

The Bowel Cancer screening programme has been rolled out in our part of Surrey.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Research has shown that screening men and women for bowel cancer using a Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test can reduce the mortality rate from bowel cancer by 16 per cent in those invited for screening. The programme follows successful pilot studies in Coventry, North Warwickshire and Scotland.

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme aims to invite the group of men and women who will benefit most from a population-based screening programme. Men and women aged between 60 and 69 will be invited.

Men and women aged 60-69 and registered with a GP will be offered an FOB test every two years. Those aged 70 and over will not be invited automatically but can request a test kit by calling a Freephone helpline on 0800 707 60 60

GPs are not directly involved in the delivery of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme but they will be notified when invitations for bowel cancer screening are being sent out in their area. They will also receive a copy of the results letters sent to their patients. Please do not contact the surgery.

See full FAQ and link to NHS Cancer Screeing web site.