The Practice Partners

Practice Manager - Mr Phil Dowding MCMI

Phil has been with the practice since April 1999 and will be pleased to discuss any non-medical problems that you have, and also to receive any suggestions for improving the services offered.

Practice Nurses

The practice nurses we employ each have their own speciality, and they all routinely deal with blood tests, injections and dressings. Some of the speciality clinics available are:

Asthma, Baby Immunisation, Cardiac Care, Diabetic, Family Planning and Foreign Travel.

To make an appointment to see the nurses, or for any of the clinics, telephone (01929) 475104.

Receptionists And Administration Staff

We employ a number of receptionists, secretaries, information technology and administration staff. Our receptionists are here to help you and they may need to ask you for further details when you telephone. This is to ensure that we can assist you as speedily and professionally as possible and allow the doctors to decide, in urgent cases, who to see first. They are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the doctors and nurses. However, if you do not wish to give your reason for seeing a doctor simply ask the receptionist to tell the doctor you have “personal reasons”.

Community Staff

The Dorset Primary Care Trust employs district nurses and health visitors etc who work from within the Health Centre. These community services are managed by Mrs Deirdre Selwyn. She is able to deal with any request or problem relating to services provided by her team which consists of district nurses, health visitors, community psychiatric nurses and physiotherapists. Tel: (01929) 422282. The Dorset PCT is located at Hillfort House, Poundbury Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2PN. Tel: (01305) 368900.

Health Visitors

Your health visitor will remain involved with you and your baby up to school age or older, should you have a need. She will monitor your child’s growth and development and answer any concerns you may have. Child health clinics are held on Wednesday 9.30am - 12 noon.

Community Midwife

Your community midwife will care for all aspects of pregnancy during the antenatal period and, (following your discharge from the maternity unit), postnatally, until you and your child are passed to the care of the health visitors. The midwife holds an antenatal clinic at Swanage Health Centre at 2.00pm every Wednesday and Friday. Clients may make initial contact there or via their doctor. Parentcraft classes are held throughout the year. Times and venue are advertised on the notice board beside community reception.
Tel: (01929) 422231.

Community Mental Health Nurses

The community mental health nurses work with others in our mental health care team to provide care and a range of services to patients and carers within their own homes or at the health centre. Clients are referred via their doctor or other members of the primary health care team. To ask for further advice telephone (01929) 422231.

Community Physiotherapy

For patients unable to attend the local hospital, help in the form of treatment or equipment can be given at home. Referral is made via your doctor or by other members of the primary health care team.
Tel: (01929) 475136.

District Nurses

The community nursing team provide a 24 hour on-call nursing service to patients and carers of all ages requiring moderate to high level of care at home. The nurses will provide specialist services for people too incapacitated to attend the health centre. Referral is via the GP or by other members of the primary health care team.
Tel: (01929) 422231.

Osteopathy

A private osteopathy treatment is available at the surgery from Mr Ian Lever, a registered osteopath, who has been practising in Swanage for more than 20 years. Osteopathy is concerned mainly with musculo-skeletal problems and treatment involves massage, stretching, joint articulation and manipulation. Conditions commonly treated are low-back pain, neck pain, sciatica, migraine/headache/tension, sports injuries and ‘trapped nerves’, as well as giving relief from the aching and stiffness associated with arthritis. If you wish to obtain information about fees and/or make an appointment, please telephone the surgery on (01929) 475104.

GP Registrar

There may be a GP registrar in post with us. They are fully qualified doctors who have worked in hospitals for several years but who have chosen general practice as a career and who will be gaining valuable experience by being based in our practice. At all times, they provide the same standard of care as the other doctors in the centre. If we would like to use your consultation for teaching purposes, you will be asked beforehand and you may, of course, decline.

Medical Students

Occasionally there will be a medical student in attendance whilst you are having a consultation with your doctor. However, if you prefer you can ask your doctor to have the consultation without the student present.