THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TEAM

The Doctors

DR ROGER JOHNSON graduated from Birmingham University in 1978 and joined the practice in 1983. He holds the qualification in General Practice (MRCGP) and also in anaesthetics (DA).
He is particularly interested in medical education, having been an accredited trainer in General Practice and working in local schools. He is Divisional Surgeon to North Petherton St John's Ambulance Brigade.
He has a special interest in the treatment for Drug Addiction, and hence works in the Bridgwater branch of the Somerset Drug Service.

DR DONAL HYNES qualified in Galway in 1979. Having worked in London and Bristol hospitals for some time he obtained the specialist qualification in General Medicine (MRCP) and also the diploma in Elderly Care (DGM). He joined the practice in 1988, and has since obtained an MSc degree in Health Care from Exeter University.
He has special interest in family medicine and joint disease. He is involved nationally in the care of elderly and rheumatic disease. He is doctor for the Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Football Club.
Dr Hynes is currently the Professional Executive Chairman and the Medical Director of the Somerset Coast Primary Care Trust (SCPCT).

DR SYED AKHTER qualified from Dow Medical College, Karachi, and trained as a surgeon in Ireland before joining Redgate Medical Centre in 2002. He obtained fellowship in surgery in 1996 from the Royal College of Surgeons. His main interest includes Extended Minor Surgery in which he holds the specialist qualification (FRCS). Dr Akhter moved to Bridgwater with his wife and family in 2002.

DR WULF FRANZEN is a salaried GP at Redgate Medical Centre. He specialises in dermatology and once a month runs a cryotherapy clinic at the surgery for skin disorders.

Dr Didi Klein has joined the practice – she specialises in family medicine, minor surgery, women’s health and general practice. Dr Klein has returned to the UK after 6 years of living in Australia and New Zealand

Nurse Practitioners

The Nurse Practitioners, Pat Hawkins, Jenny Brown and Alison Williams are experienced trained nurses who have undertaken a further degree to allow them to assess, diagnose, treat and refer certain conditions.

At Redgate we have a team of three Nurse Practitioners who have worked in a variety of Primary Care Settings as Nurse Practitioners before joining our team.  Their role within the practice is to offer appointments to patients with acute problems who may need to be seen the same day.

Our Nurse Practitioners are trained to deal with a variety if minor ailments such as coughs and earaches to more complex symptoms such as chest pains and breathing difficulties which would require emergency treatment.

They also provide telephone advice for new and on-going problems and will arrange an appointment to come to the surgery if required.

Practice Nurses

We currently have four Practice Nurses, Sister Sue Johnstone, Sister Sue Beecher, Sister Sue Brown and Sister Jill Glair.

Sister Sue Johnstone has been with the practice since March 1990.  She specialises in diabetes care, coronary heart disease, family planning, and the taking of smears.

Sister Sue Beecher specialises in respiratory care (asthma and COPD), she is also involved in diabetes, leg ulcers and circulation monitoring. Sue is also responsible for the taking of smears and also aspects of contraception and sexual health.

Sister Sue Brown has been with the practice for a year.  She specialises in coronary heart diseases care, childhood immunisations, and assisting Dr Akhter with minor surgery.

Sue Jenkins joined the practice in 2005 and specialises in coronary heart disease, immunisations, family planning and hypertension.

Emma Gulliver joined the practice in 2005 and is a generalist nurse dealing with immunisations, family planning, hypertension, smears and dressings.

Mary Wright joined in 2006 and is currently training in cytology. She specialises in suture removal and dressings, and her skills will be expanding.

The nurses carry out a wide range of procedures form post operative care, blood tests, ECG (heart trace) and treatment of emergencies, to vaccinations and smears, fertility and dieting advice.

Health Visitors

Elaine Moralee and Karen Baker are our Health Visitors. They are registered nurses who have spent a further year training to help you and your family stay healthy. Karen Baker is a Community Nursery Nurse, and works within the Health Visiting Team.

If you need to contact the Health Visiting Team please either leave a message on our answer phone Tel: 01278 426353. Alternatively, you can leave a note with the reception staff.

Home visits are made according to family and individual needs. A home visit is made around the eleventh day after the birth of a new baby and the Health Visitor will undertake a Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. Ideally, all new babies should be seen and weighed by the Health Visitor fortnightly, up to the 8 week contact with the GP.

The Health Visiting team is at the Child Health Clinic every week for advice and support, as well as a good opportunity to meet other parents. These clinics are held on Thursday between 1 pm and 3pm at Sydenham Family Centre. All babies and children of pre-school age are welcome.

Routine appointments with the Health Visitors:

The Health Visitors are also involved in activities for all age groups. These include community health programmes, eg smoking, breast feeding awareness campaigns, parent craft, group work teaching on all aspects of health, child protection and training of other professionals.

Community Midwife

Julia Neilson and Kathy Rutter help with all aspects of pregnancy and labour. Antenatal Clinics are held on Wednesday mornings. Parents to be Groups" and a "Drop-in" antenatal and post-natal service in the Sydenham Family Centre in the surgery neighbourhood.
Home deliveries and deliveries in the local community hospital's midwifery-led unit are also undertaken.

The midwives run a 24 hour advice line and 'on-call' service, and can be contacted on 01278 444517.

Breast feeding workshops are held in conjunction with parenting groups.

District Nursing Team

The team is led by Sister Caroline Bawden attached to Redgate Medical Centre providing nursing care at home and in residential settings.
The aim of the District Nursing Service is to provide assessments, nursing care, support and health education for both patients and their carers.
Nursing care is provided for patients with long and short term illnesses, patients with disabilities, terminal illness and those recently discharged from hospital.
The District Nursing team can be contacted by telephoning: 01278 445023 or by leaving a message on the answer phone, which the District Nurse Team will answer as soon as they can. So please speak slowly and clearly leaving your name, telephone number, and a brief description of the problem.

SUPPORT SERVICES TEAM

Mrs Sandie Sealey is the Business Manager and manages the staff and premises; and has been the driving force in the implementation of 'paperlessness' and best practice. She is able to help you with any administrational or non-medical matters.
Mrs Sealey is also available to discuss suggestions, comments or complaints.

Mrs Joanne Bennett is a Medical Secretary and supports the clinical Healthcare Team with administration from Support Services Team.

Mrs Anita Ellis is the Data Manager responsible for the computer system, which plays a key role in all aspects of patient care, in particular immunisations, repeat prescriptions and research.

Mrs Carla Meynell is the Medical Secretary and supports the clinical Healthcare Team with administration.

Mrs Janet Young and Mrs Kathy Bartley are the premises assisting Duty Manager. They are available to assist with any comments or complaints. Please email janet.young@redgatemedicalcentre.nhs.uk or kathy.bartley@redgatemedicalcentre.co.uk.

Mrs Maria Chapman is the Prescribing Manager and deals with prescription queries. Please email maria.chapman@redgatemedicalcentre.co.uk.