Introduction to Bideford Medical Centre

Address:

Bideford Medical Centre
Abbotsham Road
Bideford
Devon
EX39 3AF    

Grid ref: 267449

Directions:

From Bideford Quay proceed up the High Street. At the top junction turn left and then first right into Abbotsham Road . After 100 metres turn right into the Bideford Hospital entrance and turn immediately left at the mini roundabout. The Medical Centre is then 50 metres on your left.

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About the Practice

Constructed in 1972 by Devon County Council the surgery was the second purpose-built medical centre in Devon .  Until 1989 the Wooda, Stanhope and Hill and Medway practices coexisted at this site, at which point the latter two merged to become Bideford Medical Centre and purchased the building from the Secretary of State for Health.  BMC has since undergone three major re-developments in order to provide the local community with a high quality modern and comfortable medical centre.

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How to See Your Doctor or Nurse - (Appointment system for face to face or telephone consultation)

Please click the above link for information on how to see your Doctor or Nurse.

Telephone Consultation

The Doctors offer telephone consultations. Please let the Receptionist have your name, telephone number and message. The Doctor will call you as soon as practicable.

Home Visit

If you think you need a home visit please telephone between 8.30am-10.00am and give an idea of the problem to enable the doctor to assess your need.

When the Medical Centre is closed

There is always a Doctor available outside surgery hours i.e. from 1pm-2pm and 6pm-8.30am the following morning, and at weekends and bank holidays.

If you require medical advice telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.  If you need to see a doctor or nurse when the medical Centre is closed telephone Devon Doctors On Call on 01392 824600.  You may be asked to attend a local treatment centre.

Repeat Prescriptions

Patients established on long-term medication may not need to see their Doctor every time a repeat prescription is due. Your Doctor will decide when it is appropriate for you to use this service and how often your case needs to be reviewed.

The printed repeat prescription has a tear-off list of your medicines which should be used to re-order next time. We need at least 2 working days notice to produce a prescription for collection. Some medications might not be available immediately and your pharmacist would need extra time to order them for you.

You can order and collect your repeat prescriptions from the Medical Centre, certain chemists or by post. Please mark clearly where you want it collected. Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you want it posted to you.

Repeat prescriptions are not available over the telephone due to safety reasons.

Carers

If you are a carer please let a member of the practice team know. This will enable us to keep an accurate record about you and refer you to any appropriate help if needed.

Services Offered

The Doctors at the Medical Centre provide general medical services, health promotion advice and non general medical services.

Health Promotion Clinics

Asthma, Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease, Hypertension, Smoking Cessation, Travel, Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease, Child Development and Immunisation , Well Person, Leg Ulcer Assessment

Cervical Smear Tests

All female patients aged 25 to 65 are recommended to attend at regular intervals for a cervical smear test.

Child Health Surveillance

A programme of health and developmental screening is carried out by the Health Visitors in conjunction with the Doctors and Practice Nurses. Parents are invited to register their new baby for child health surveillance which continues until the child is five years old.

Family Planning

Your own Doctor will provide full contraceptive advice and services by appointment either during normal surgery hours or in clinics.

Health Checks

All new patients aged over five years will be offered a health check when they register at the Medical Centre.

Maternity Care

The Community Midwives offer maternity services in co-operation with the Doctors.

Minor Surgery

The Doctors are able to perform some minor operations at the Medical Centre. Please discuss with your Doctor.

Primary Health Care Team

The Practice Manager, the Reception Manager, 6 Practice Nurses, 3 Health Care Assistants, 11 Receptionists, a secretary, together with a team of Community Nurses, Health Visitors, Community Midwives, Community Psychiatric Nurses and a Hospice Nurse work with the Doctors to offer you a consistent quality service within available resources.

Training Practice

The Medical Centre is a training practice.  Fully qualified Doctors (known as GP Registrars) and occasionally medical students spend a period of time here gaining experience in general practice. You may be offered an appointment with them or occasionally the GP Registrar may sit in with your own Doctor. Video consultations may be used for training purposes. You may be asked to sign a consent form to agree to usage of the video in a teaching tutorial. If you would prefer to see your own Doctor in private, please say so. It will not cause offence.

Visitors

Visitors to the area are welcome to seek consultation as temporary residents from the Doctors in the Medical Centre.

Practice Area

We welcome patients who live within the boundary of the Practice area to register  with  us.  A map of the Practice area is available at Reception.

Mission Statement

We aim to deliver consistent quality health care to our patients within available resources.

Parking

Patient parking continues to be a challenge to the practice. With increased activities from the hospital and lack of central funding for improved parking facilities on site there are a lot of cars parked on double yellow lines, posing a health and safety threat to both the medical centre and the hospital.  The managers of the 3 organisations on site including Social Services have been meeting regularly to try to improve the management of the parking problem.  If visiting the surgery by car please consider car-pooling and using Honestone Street to park.

Bideford Medical Centre requests that all staff and patients not bring a car to the surgery whenever possible.  This leaves spaces for those who with limited mobility and those who need them for home visits.  By using public transport, cycling and walking we not only improve our physical fitness, but contribute to a greener environment.

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