DUNCAIRN MEDICAL CENTRE

Surgery Services

Drs Liston, Marshall and Roche, together with our practice nurse Rita, offer general medical services to all patients of the practice.

Together we provide the following services:

Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Including pregnancy testing. May be provided by either the doctors or the practice nurse, who is also a midwife.

Contraception
Comprehensive advice on all forms of contraception is available from all the doctors and practice nurse.The Mirena Coil and the implant Implanon are now fitted in the surgery by one of the doctors. Please ask at reception for an appointment.

Cervical Smears
We recommend that women between the ages of 20 and 65 should have a regular cervical smear every two years. Please inform the reception staff when you book your appointment with either the doctor or practice nurse so that extra time can be allowed for consultation.

Minor Surgery
Dr Marshall performs minor surgery on Friday afternoons. This includes removal of cysts, moles, in-growing toenails etc. This service avoids the need for patients to go to the hospital.

Pneumovax Immunisation
Anyone who suffers from chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver problems, diabetes, has had their spleen removed or is over 65 years of age should be vaccinated. This is a single vaccination against one form of pneumonia.

Flu Vaccinations
These are held every October / November. We recommend flu vaccination for anyone over 65 years old and all patients with:

• Long-standing chest (heart or lung) complaints
• Diabetes
• Liver or kidney disease
• Most chronic debilitating illnesses, as well as for those living in residential homes or taking drugs to suppress the immune system or who have had their spleen removed.

Travel Vaccines
For foreign travel, either holiday or business, please book with the practice nurse as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before departure. Our practice nurse offers comprehensive health-related travel and immunisation advice. We are also a yellow fever vaccine centre.

Sport Medicine Advice and Treatment
Healthy Heart and Blood Pressure Check
This includes an electro cardiograph (ECG), a 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor where necessary and a cholesterol check.

Well Women and Well Man Check Ups

Eyesight Testing for Driving Licences
We have ready access to a full range of hospital and laboratory tests.

Test Results
Please phone in the afternoon for test results. Most blood tests take 7 - 10 days to process.

Practice Nurse Services

Baby Vaccination
Please book with our practice nurse, Rita, for all baby vaccines. The normal baby vaccine schedule is at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months. These are against childhood infectious diseases which will be discussed at the time of consultation.
These vaccines are free of charge.

6 Week Baby Check
The 6 week baby check is first done by the practice nurse and then completed by the doctor. Appointments may be made with the practice nurse.

The practice nurse offers a wide range of nursing services and screening by appointment through reception, they include:

Complaints

We hope that most problems can be sorted out easily and quickly, preferably at the time they arise and with the person concerned.

We always try to provide the best service possible, but there may be times when you feel that this has not happened. If you have a complaint please feel free to draw it to the attention of one of the doctors and we will endeavour to deal with your complaint thoroughly and swiftly.

GPs’ Responsibilities

• Normally we will answer the telephone promptly and courteously.
• You will be treated as an individual and will be given courtesy and respect at all times. You have the right to be treated confidentially.
• Respect for religious and cultural beliefs will be honoured.
• You have a right to information about your own health (illness and treatment, possible side effects, prevention or recurring illness etc).
• We will offer medical advice and information for promotion of good health.
• You have the right to see your own medical records subject to the limitations of the law.
• Home visits can be made when requested if a doctor feels that you are not well enough to attend the surgery. The final decision rests with the doctor.
• We may give you test results when you telephone the surgery for them, or you may be asked to make an appointment with the doctor or nurse to discuss them.
• If your doctor believes that you need a second opinion, then they will arrange this.
• You will be given a time to see a doctor in accordance with the system used within the practice. If there is a substantial delay for any reason, you will be given an explanation.
• Repeat prescriptions will normally be ready within two working days from the surgery.
• Urgent referrals for hospital appointments may be faxed, telephoned or provided as a handwritten note for the patient to take to the hospital.

Patients' Responsibilities

• We ask that you treat our doctors and all practice staff with courtesy and respect.
• The first hour of the morning can be extremely busy. Please keep telephone calls brief. If possible, leave routine calls until later in the day.
• You are responsible for your own health and that of your children. Please take the advice given to you at the practice.
• Let us know immediately if you change your address or name and remember to give us new telephone numbers.
• Please contact the surgery between 8.30am and 10.00am for a home visit during the day.
• Please ask for a night visit only if it is truly necessary.
• Please read the rest of the practice booklet to get the best from the services available.
• You can discuss any medical matter with the doctor, including asking for a second opinion.
• Please let us know if you are unable to keep an appointment. We can then offer that appointment to someone else.
• When an appointment or acknowledgement of a routine referral for a hospital appointment is not received within six weeks, contact the hospital concerned.