About Well Close Square Surgery

Well Close Square is a country town practice in the northernmost part of England, extending into Scotland. The practice has a list size of about 10,800 patients, but with a large influx of holidaymakers in the summer. As well as providing traditional primary care services, the doctors also run a 100-bed hospital: due to the geographical isolation of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the services delivered at Berwick Infirmary are more extensive than might be expected for a GP-run hospital.

• The practice area: the geographical area covered by the practice, and a map of the location of the practice.
• The practice premises. Take the Well Close Square Surgery tour
• Well Close Square @ Tweedmouth Clinic
• The doctors
• The nurses
• The staff
• The practice philosophy
• Teaching and training at Well Close Square.
• The practice booklet
• Well Close Square patient information
• What to do in an emergency
• Non-NHS fees

The practice is affiliated to the National Association of Patient Participation and supports the work of the North of Tyne Patients Voice and the Northumberland Community Health Council.

The Practice Philosophy

Well Close Square is committed to providing high quality GP services in a well organised, modern and friendly setting. We have personal lists and aim to provide personal care. However, due to our other commitments, this is not always completely possible. However, it does mean that a patient admitted to Berwick Infirmary will be cared for by the family GP or doctor that he or she is likely to know, twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mission statement

• This practice aims to provide the highest quality health care available under the NHS to all its patients with a well trained and motivated primary health care team.
• The practice recognises the special expertise of many of its members and uses these skills for the benefit of the patients.
• The practice is committed to passing on its special expertise in respect of training and education of other doctors and staff, both locally and within a wider sphere of influence.
• The practice recognises the difficulties of the geographical isolation of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and will strive to maintain or improve the appropriate local services for its patients.

The practice values

• Patients' medical conditions will be managed according to the highest standards as defined by the profession.
• Patients will be treated with courtesy and consideration by all our staff.
• Patients will receive appropriate information about their condition and treatment.
• The practice will endeavour to educate patients on health care matters whenever possible.
• Partners, nurses and staff will be encouraged to pursue appropriate further training.
• Partners will pursue the interests of patients in respect of the Primary Care Group and local or regional planning issues.
• The practice will undertake professional training as a service to the profession.

The patients values

• NHS treatment should be readily available locally when this is feasible.
• Written protocols for the management of common chronic conditions will be followed when appropriate.
• Patients will be provided with information regarding the services available within the practice via the practice leaflet and the internet.
• Patients with problems which are considered urgent will be seen the same day.
• Patients will be encouraged to see their own doctor whenever possible, recognising the problems produced by hospital commitments.

The patients responsibilities

• Patients should attend their appointments at the arranged time. If this is not possible they should inform the surgery as soon as possible.
• We expect that patients will understand that appointments are for one person only. Additional appointments should be made for more than one person.
• Patients are responsible for their own health, and the health of their children, and should co-operate with the practice in endeavouring to keep themselves healthy. We give you professional help and advice - please act on it!
• Requests for help and advice for non-urgent matters should be made during surgery hours only.
• Home visits should only be requested for patients who are seriously ill or housebound. It is important to bear in mind that most medical problems are dealt with more effectively in the clinical setting of a well equipped surgery or hospital.
• Patients should realise that home visits are made at the doctor's discretion.
• Requests for visits and advice at night should only be made for true emergencies.
• Many problems can be solved by advice alone, therefore patients should not always expect a prescription.
• We ask that patients treat the staff and doctors with courtesy and respect. Bear in mind that reception staff have a very difficult job to do, juggling with limited resources and without detailed medical knowledge. They are trying to do their best for you.

Teaching and Training

Well Close Square is an accredited training practice, and for many years has been involved in the postgraduate training of fully qualified doctors who wish to enter the speciality of General Practice. These GP registrars usually work in the practice for six months as part of their specialist family doctor training, and their work is supervised by Dr Cheek. The GP registrar is encouraged to take on long term problems which are presented by the patient to him/her, in association with the patient's own family doctor. They often have particular expertise in another branch of medicine as well.

We also regularly have medical students at the practice, usually from Newcastle Universitiy. Their work is supervised by Dr Wooding, but you may come across a medical student working with any member of the practice team. If you do not wish a medical student to be present, just tell us and your wishes will be respected. The practice is also involved in the training of nurses.

As well as assisting in the training of young doctors and nurses, we believe that this continuous involvement in medical education helps the continuing focus by the practice on the provision of high quality patient care.

	Brad Cheek:

• Brad Cheek: last updated Dec 2006
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