Page 12 - link magazine

12 The Link Magazine • January 2005
Surgery puts nurses in the first line of call

/1.4fRf' BEAoTySALON Lt^`
A complaint often heard about trying to make a doctor's appointment is that you have to go through a
receptionist who can seem like a gatekeeper to the service. And sometimes doctors complain that they are
The Neighbourhood Centre
St Andrews Ridge, Swindon dealing with minor complaints when their time could be spent on more serious problems
Tel: (01793) 727245 The Ridge Green Clinic at Shaw "A doctor is always available at
`y
Village Centre has been running a .. _ ,'' ^i ; clinic times and can be called upon
Open: Mon: 9 - 5; Tues & Thurs: 9 - 8;
triage system which is used by only ^" to pick up problems or more com-
Wed: 9-5.30; Fri: 9-6; Sat: 9-3
a few other practices in Swindon. -- - ' plex needs."
We specialise in colours, Qualified nurses take all calls, dis-
restyles and permanent waves Colleague Penney McDonough
and also have a full range of cuss symptoms with patients and said that although Triage had been
beauty treatments book them into a daily nurse led It 'I _' in use at Ridge Green for 18
I— minor ailments clinic or makes an months, it was still relatively new
10% DISCOUNT appointment with a GP. 1 ' . and was constantly being re-
on all appointment Nurse Sue Cole explained that Penney McDonough and Sue Cole viewed. "It takes a bit of getting
in January using triage within a GP surgery sure if a patient wanted to see a GP used to but most patients have got
on production had ensured the best use of skills or nurse quickly and there was no used to the way it works; some
L _ of this voucher) and resources. "In the past the re- convenient appointment available, now call for advice rather than ask
ceptionist would be under pres- "Now at least one nurse is avail- for an appointment.
able every morning and afternoon "The system tries to ensure that
to talk to patients and make a the patient is seen by the most
judgement about their symptoms. appropriate person for their re-
Sometimes our advice means the quirements and the resources are
patient does not have to come to used in the best way.
the surgery or we'll ask them to • New patients are welcome at
come to our daily clinic, or book Ridge Green Surgery. Call 874894
them in to see the doctor. to arrange an initial appointment.

New on the case
Clare Duncan-Hawes has joined the team at Shaw Chiropractic Clinic.
A graduate of the If Chiropractic uses ma-
Anglo-European Co llege ' ` if) nipulation on joints of the
of Chiropractic, she has ;.fie spineandlimbstorestore
been building experience function and decrease
in a number of locum po- • pain. Many conditions
sitions in country and ? such as back and neck
town based clinics, pain, sciatica, whiplash,
Clare has developed a headache, arm and leg
special interest in treating pain can be treated
Massage and soft tissue tech-
Wishing all our patients children, older people and sports niques are used to relax and bal-
injuries. She is currently develop-
ing her skills in sacro-occipital and ance tight muscles associated with
a Happy and Healthy cranial techniques. these conditions.
New Year `Me' time for new mums

A six week postnatal course for new mums run by the National
BUT, IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM: Childbirth Trust starts on Monday 10 January, 10am, at Toothill
Church. The sessions will consist of one hour of postnatal exercise
O Backache, Leg pain followed by an hour of discussion over refreshments.
NCT tutor Ruth Barrett says the course is an ideal opportunity for
0 Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain
new mums to get out of the house and meet others in similar circum-
O Headache & Migraine stances, to make new friends and to have some 'me' time.
For enrolment details call the NCT Swindon Branch on 07005 801635
0 Sciatica
and ask for 'postnatal course.'
O Arthritis To do the exercises mothers should have had their 6 week check-up.
O Sports Injury
0 Whiplash
Toothill Pharmacy
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CONSULTING
01793 539701
A CHIROPRACTOR at:
Shaw Chiropractic Clinic From your Doctor to your Door

Let us arrange COLLECTION AND DELIVERY
SANDRA E. DAVIES D.C. CLARE DUNCAN-HAWES MSc. D.C.
of your repeat prescription FREE OF CHARGE
Tel: (01793) 887801 from ANY SURGERY IN SWINDON.
Free new patient consultation* Ring or visit Toothill Pharmacy or ring the
Free Chirocheck always available number below and we will do the rest.
Members of BCA • Registered with GCC • Members of the College of Chiropractors
*Presentation of this advert will entitle you to a free new patient consultation which will Swindon Pharmacies Ltd
include othopaedic and neurological testing together wil a confidential report of findings 01793 43 4000
(Treatment will incur a fee. Offer excludes insurance claims) Taoll - O+J Town Vark Cana