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Cheriton Bishop and Teign Valley Practice

News

NOTICE TO PATIENTS

Posted on 12th August 2024

NOTICE TO PATIENTS

Following the recent BMA ballot which you may have heard about in the press, we are writing to explain what this means for you and the future of General Practice.
GPs have for years been doing work that is not funded and not contracted due to gaps in commissioned services and pressures in secondary care services; they have been doing so out of concern for their patients and to ensure that you continue to receive the care you deserve.
However, with chronic underfunding and increased demand it is no longer sustainable for GPs
to continue working in this way.
Since 2015 we have seen 1600 Practices close or merge, there are 6 million more registered patients and 2000 fewer full time equivalent GPs across the country. Our funding levels are significantly lower than 2018 levels. This means we will be focussing on the safety and stability of our service going forwards.
Collective action is about working legitimately within our contracts. You may have heard this referred to in the press as industrial action; this is factually incorrect.
We will not be doing anything that compromises your safety, and we will not currently be going on strike.
We hope you understand that we are taking this action to ensure that general practice locally, in Devon and across England is there for our patients in years to come, and hope for your forbearance

Dr Clunie Retirement

Posted on 9th April 2024

A Reminder that there are books at both surgeries for patients to write a personal message to Dr Clunie on his upcoming retirement and we look forward to welcoming those who want to say a personal goodbye in Cheriton Bishop village hall on Friday 31st May between 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm

Booking your appointment

Patient Information:
Don't forget that you can book your appointment with a GP, Nurse or for a blood test using the NHS App.

You can also book using the Book an Appointment button on the website if you are signed up to the NHS App.

Our Enhanced Access also means that you can book to see a GP on a Tuesday from 6.30pm until 8pm - to book use the NHS App or ring Reception.

Dr Fran Palmer joins the team

Posted on 17th June 2024

I am very happy to be joining the team at Cheriton Bishop GP surgery. I trained and worked in London for several years before relocating to the South West in 2010 with my family. I have mainly worked in Exeter and East Devon. I have an interest in dermatology.

DR CLUNIE'S RETIREMENT

Posted on 26th February 2024

Dr Clunie’s Retirement

After a touch over 26 years at the practice and over 33 years working in the NHS, I have decided that the time is right to hang up my stethoscope. So, Friday 31st May of this year will be my last working day.

All those years ago, being asked by Simon Dudbridge to be his partner was one of the best (and lucky) things to have happened in my entire working life. Being allowed to serve the various communities that make up our practice has at different times been joyful, very hard, very fulfilling, occasionally frustrating and everything in between. Within all that though it has been a huge privilege.

I’m immensely proud of what the whole team over the years has managed to do for our population. That means everybody: reception staff, nurses, the admin team, the practice manager, community nurses the dispensary team along with the GP’s and all the new allied staff. I’m proud of us being able to continue an approach to family medicine that maintains standards of access, continuity of care and above all managing to put patients first despite continuous Government restrictions. I know from feedback, the yearly National Patient Survey and our own surveys that we have been consistently appreciated and valued and that has been very important to me.

I am very happy to say that Dr Sam Pouncey will be taking over my role in the practice. He has worked with us now for some time, and I couldn’t think of a better doctor to whom I hand over my baton.

I feel as partners we are purely custodians of the Cheriton Bishop and Teign Valley Practice. Before me came Simon (Dudbridge) and Robin (Miller) whom many of you will remember. From my reflections on being a custodian of this amazing practice, I look back with pride. I have certainly done my best.

To Dr Hayter and Dr Pouncy, I happily hand them my baton. They inspire me in their work and compassion, and I know that you, our patients, will be well cared for.

To mark the occasion of my retirement it would be remiss of me not to do something suitably silly to raise funds for Acorn Community Support, a charity that the practice are so grateful to have within our community, who do so much in offering social, practical and emotional support to our patients. So, to keep with the tradition, I am planning to cycle, a week after my retirement, from Exeter to Bari, Puglia in Southeast Italy. It is 2,350 miles – it should take me about 3-4 weeks. If you would like to support my endeavours (and support my retirement) there will be collecting buckets in the usual places across the practice. You can also donate via the Acorn website at www.acorncommunitysupport.co.uk

Thank you to all of you - staff, patients and Acorn volunteers. You have ensured it has been the privilege of my life.

Dr Jason Clunie

Addendum

The retirement of Dr Clunie from our practice will be felt by many of you who have been in receipt of his compassion and medical expertise.

We will have a comments/thankyou book at each surgery from the 1st April 2024 which will provide you all with the opportunity to write a personal message to him and we will also be holding a ‘retirement do’ on May 31st 2024 at Cheriton Bishop Village Hall, 1 – 3pm. You are all welcome to come and wish Dr Clunie the very best in his retirement and thank him for all he has done for our community.

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION

Posted on 13th February 2024

Disruption to normal service between 25th April - 1st may
View full news item

DR SAM POUNCEY

I am very happy to be joining the team in Cheriton as I have always wanted to settle down in a rural practice. I have worked in Exeter over the past 9 years having trained at Keele University.
I completed my GP training locally and feel I have an in depth knowledge of local service.
I live in Exeter with my wife and two children. I enjoy outdoor sports, travelling, woodwork and have recently started learning the violin. This keeps me very busy outside of work.

Family Hub questionnaire

Posted on 18th December 2023

Family hub questionnaire
If you have time please fill out the Family hub questionnaire which asks what services families use in our area and what they would like to have available locally. It's very quick and easy. It will help us look at what other services are needed for parents, families and children in our locality. Please follow the link below.

https://forms.office.com/e/nKy1unrkua

Free HOPE Course

Free Course

HOPE PROGRAMME

Posted on 2nd January 2024

HOPE PROGRAMME FOR PARENTS OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN

HOPE PROGRAMME FOR LONG TERM CONDITIONS

Posted on 2nd January 2024

FREE SELF HELP MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR LONG TERM CONDITIONS

DR FIONA STUART

I am very excited to be joining Cheriton Bishop and Teign valley practice having lived and raised my children in the Teign valley for the last 20 years. I trained at Birmingham medical school and moved to Devon (via New Zealand) to do my GP training in 1998. Since then I have worked mainly in Exeter so it will be lovely to have a rural view from my window at work as well as at home.

DR KATE ROLLS

Hi, I'm Kate, the new GP Registrar for the Surgery. This means I'm in my final year of training as a GP and I feel very lucky to have Cheriton as my workplace for the next year.
I spent most of my childhood growing up in West Cornwall so after I graduated from Norwich Medical School in 2008, I was keen to get myself back down to the South West to work as a junior doctor in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. I've worked in a number of different departments including A&E, general surgery, gastroenterology, community paediatrics and acute care of the elderly. However, General Practice is what I enjoy the most, so I'm very pleased to be part of the team here in Cheriton.

DR KATE ROLLS

Hi, I'm Kate, the new GP Registrar for the Surgery. This means I'm in my final year of training as a GP and I feel very lucky to have Cheriton as my workplace for the next year.
I spent most of my childhood growing up in West Cornwall so after I graduated from Norwich Medical School in 2008, I was keen to get myself back down to the South West to work as a junior doctor in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. I've worked in a number of different departments including A&E, general surgery, gastroenterology, community paediatrics and acute care of the elderly. However, General Practice is what I enjoy the most, so I'm very pleased to be part of the team here in Cheriton.

DR KATE ROLLS

Hi, I'm Kate, the new GP Registrar for the Surgery. This means I'm in my final year of training as a GP and I feel very lucky to have Cheriton as my workplace for the next year.

I spent most of my childhood growing up in West Cornwall so after I graduated from Norwich Medical School in 2008, I was keen to get myself back down to the South West to work as a junior doctor in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. I've worked in a number of different departments including A&E, general surgery, gastroenterology, community paediatrics and acute care of the elderly. However, General Practice is what I enjoy the most, so I'm very pleased to be part of the team here in Cheriton.

IMPORTANT PATIENT NOTIFICATION

Please be advised that the d-icb.cheritonbishop@nhs.net mailbox is not constantly monitored, for clinical issues and queries please use the Patient Triage accessible through our website and the NHS App.
View full news item

COVID / FLU BOOSTER

Posted on 11th October 2023

Eligible patients aged between 18-64 are now being invited to book their Flu & Covid Boosters. Please use the link on the text message sent to you to book your appointment or ring the Surgery if unable to book online.

EVERY MIND MATTERS

Posted on 10th October 2023

Find your little big thing for your mental health
There are little things we can all do to lift our mood or ease our anxiety – we need to find what works for us.

This could be as simple as taking a walk in nature, prioritising our sleep or opening up to a friend. Our little thing, if we keep doing it, will make a big difference to how we feel.
View full news item

HOPE Programme

Posted on 3rd October 2023

HOPE Programme for People Living with Anxiety and/or Depression

Download document (pdf)

SURGERY CLOSED

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SURGERY WILL BE CLOSED FOR GP TRAINING FROM 12.45 PM on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH 2023 AND WILL RE-OPEN 8AM ON WEDNESDAY AS USUAL

sorry u leaving

DR VAILE

“It is with sadness that we inform you that after 14 years Dr Vaile is leaving the practice in September for horizons new. We are holding a comments book within the practice and invite all patients who would like to to send in some words that can be added to the book for her to keep and remember you by”

PATIENT ADVICE AND MESSAGES FOR ELECTIVE CARE WAITING LISTS

Patient Advice and Messages for Elective Care Waiting Lists
myhealth-devon.nhs.uk/my-referral/waiting-times
Information for patients about waiting times is available on the waiting times page on MyHealth and practices may wish to share this on their own websites. It states:
If you would like to be seen elsewhere or have been waiting a long time to be seen or for treatment please contact DRSS on 01626 883888 or email: drss.helpdesk@nhs.net to discuss your options.
The NHS Constitution gives most people living in England the right to choose where to receive treatment. You have the right to choose the organisation that provides your NHS care when you're referred for your first appointment with a consultant. So if your GP recommends that you see a specialist, you can choose where and when to see them.
Please note DRSS are unable to give exact guidance on how long you will wait to be seen for an appointment.
Please do not contact the hospital or your GP to check where you are on the list as they will not to be able to provide you with this information. The only exception to this is if you feel your condition is worsening prior to their hospital clinic appointment or procedure. In this instance, contact your GP.

myhealth-devon.nhs.uk/my-referral/waiting-times

PARAMEDIC AND ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTITIONER JOINS THE SURGERY

Sam Caunter - Paramedic and Advanced Clinical Practitioner

We are extremely pleased to be Introducing Sam Caunter who has just joined us at the Surgery - He is a very experienced Paramedic and an Advanced Clinical Practitioner and a very welcome new member of our team.

Sam outlines below his background and role:

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Firstly, thank you to those patients I have had the privilege of helping so far you have all been so kind and welcoming.

So a little about me....I am a Devon boy born and bred. My background is as a Paramedic working for the South Western Ambulance service for nearly 14 years.

During my times with SWAST I enjoyed many roles including as a trainer, and more recently a Clinical Supervisor, where I would have a clinical overview of all incoming 999 calls.

After an opportunity came up to move over into Primary Care (GP practices) I jumped at the chance of a new challenge. I was part of the initial cohort of Paramedics moving over to primary care as part of the wider NHS plan to support GPs. Our skill set of a "jack of all trades" fit well within the Primary care environment as GPs never know what is coming through the door.

Over the past few years Paramedics have become much more commonplace in GP practices, in some cases being the only clinicians available in surgeries, helping alleviate the burden from GPs and importantly ensuring patients get prompt and effective care where GPs may be difficult to recruit.

I have recently worked at some very large town centre practices, which have allowed me to hone my skills as well as complete further training including my masters degree in Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP). The aim of this role is to allow me to undertake any of the testing you may need, prescribe medication, as well as refer on to other services as needed - all of this whilst referring back to your own GP who will still have an overall view of your care.

I hope you don't have need of my services, but if you do and you have any questions please do feel to ask.

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Sam works with us specialising predominantly in Urgent/same day care but also supporting our patients managing long term conditions. He will clinically examine and assess patient needs and plan clinical care accordingly, diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug and non-drug based treatment methods and prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness. He can initiate and interpret tests and investigations as appropriate and make appropriate referrals for our patients. He will also undertake home visits.

Sam is fully integrated to our Clinical team working closely with our GPs, referring back to them as they retain an overall view of your health care. He will always introduce himself to you so you will be aware that you are being supported by our Paramedic so that there is no confusion

WE ARE A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY SURGERY

We are proud to support Dementia Friends, an Alzheimer’s Society initiative. Each member of our staff has become a Dementia Friend. A Dementia Friend is somebody that learns about dementia so they can help their community.

You can sign up to become a Dementia Friend at dementiafriends.org.uk

https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/

Important Patient Information Update

From January 2023 we will be modifying the way we provide GP appointments at the surgery.

We will be providing an Acute on the day service for urgent and acute clinical problems. This will run from 8am - 11am each weekday. We request that you send in requests via the link on the website or reception can send you a link, if you are unable to do this the reception team can take down the details for you. A duty GP will triage the call and either arrange a time to see you or manage the problem remotely.
PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS NOT A WALK IN SURGERY.

For routine non urgent appointments you can now book directly via Reception or via the NHS App. This can be for a face to face or telephone appointment.

For those with musculoskeletal issues, you can be booked in directly via Reception, with our first contact physio team for acute assessment, treatment, and investigation.

Chart showing prescription collection details

When will my prescription be ready?

Please ensure you leave THREE FULL WORKING DAYS before coming to collect your prescription. (Allow one extra day if your order is collected from Dunsford Post Office.)

The dispensary is closed between 1pm and 3pm daily.

Please DO NOT ring the Surgery to enquire if your prescription is ready - assume your prescription will be available as above.

If there are any issues with your request, the Dispensary team will contact you by phone or text.