A year of change

Services include – GP surgeries, Nurse clinics, Maternity Care, Child Health, NHS Dentistry, Podiatry, Physiotherapy, Counselling and Psychology, Speech Therapy, Acupuncture and a full Community Nursing team.

Situated on the southern side of Bury Knowle Park, the Health Centre completed a significant extension to patient and staff facilities in May of last year. Access was made easier, more consulting rooms were added, and a dedicated treatment room was installed. New administrative accommodation allowed 6 staff to finally move out of cramped conditions in a portakabin!

In July it was announced that the Quarry Medical Centre would close, and fortunately Bury Knowle was able to assist those patients who wished to reregister. There followed a frenetic few months of receiving and sorting over 2,000 new patient records – and we know that this was sometimes frustrating for patients when records were delayed. New doctors and additional nurses have joined the Health Centre to ensure that patients continue to receive high quality patient centered care.

During 2000 a doctor Triage system was tested. This involves a doctor providing telephone advice for urgent matters that might otherwise have resulted in a trip to the Health Centre. Evaluation of the trial is underway and indications are that patients welcome this enhanced service.

The Health Centre is hosting a NHS Research Project to establish the viability of patients accessing their health records electronically from remote locations or on the premises. This is an exciting project in which a number of patients are participating.

Dr Mary Nichols sadly left Oxford in December, and assistant Dr Cath Rose will become a Partner in July of this year.

And finally….Dr Cath Rose now has a baby daughter and Dr Justin Amery recently became the proud father of twin daughters!