Doctors in Hemel Hempstead

Bennetts End Surgery

Gatecroft, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP3 9LE

Registration
We are delighted to register new patients.

Under the terms of the GMS Contract of 2003, patients now register with practices rather than individual GPs, although we do encourage continuity of care for our patients. Patients can, however, express a preference as to which doctor they wish to see when booking an appointment.

To register at this Practice, please see the staff in our Travel Clinic / Physio Reception who will check your entitlement to receive NHS care at this Practice and ask you for some basic administrative and health details.

The Partners
Dr Paul Heatley M MB BS (Lond 1977) MRCGP DRCOG FPA Cert (GP Trainer)
Dr David Kerry M BSc MB BS (Lond 1983) DRCOG FPA Cert
Dr Victoria Crane F BM (Soton 1993)
Dr Zunia Hurst F MB BS (Lond 1977) FRCGP FPA Cert (GP Trainer)
Dr Kathryn McFarlane F MB ChB (Sheffield 1987) MRCGP DRCOG DFFP
Dr Jim Nodder M MB BS (Lond 1973) DRCOG FPA Cert
Dr Elisabeth Brazier F MB BS (Lond 1990) DCH DRCOG MRCGP DFFP
Dr Anthony Hybel M MB BS (London 1997) DRCOG DFFP MRCGP
Dr Helen Cutler F MB BS (Lond 2000) DRCOG MRCGP DFFP
Dr Fiona Osuagwu F MB BS (Nig 1990) DFFP MRCOG DCH MRCGP
Dr Meelan Trivedy M MB BS (Lond 2001) BSc (Hons) MRCGP
Mrs Sandra Gower F Managing Partner CIHM FIHM FRCGP (Hon)

Research & Training
We are also a training Practice and participate in the further training of doctors who, already experienced in hospital medicine, wish to make their career in general practice. Additionally, with patient consent, we facilitate the training of medical students, nurses, managers, physicians, assistants, administrative staff and work experience students.

Committed to research and development, our Surgery is a member of the Medical Research Council's General Practice Research Framework. When we take part in a study we may pass anonymised information from your medical records or our practice computer to the researchers co-ordinating the study.

Quality Assurance
The Bennetts End Surgery Team is committed to continuous quality improvement. Since 1991 the practice has undertaken external quality assessment and was one of the nine pilot practices throughout the UK to be selected by the Kings Fund to set up and test standards for primary care. Currently, in addition to conducting an annual, nationally accredited patient questionnaire, we are involved with national quality initiatives of the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Institute of Healthcare Management and the Health Quality Service.

Accessibility
For the disabled there is reserved marked parking at the front entrance and easy access to the Surgery facilities. Consulting rooms, treatment rooms, waiting rooms, toilets and the reception area are fully accessible to wheelchair-bound patients. A wheelchair is available by request at reception. Those patients who are elderly or disabled and have transport difficulties should mention this when making appointments. Our reception staff will endeavour to help you make suitable arrangements to attend the surgery.

Would all patients please note that the car park is a public area and when using these facilities you do so at your own risk.

History
Hemel Hempstead is an old town 21 miles north west of London. In the 1950s a New Town was added to the old and November 1951 saw the setting up of the practice by Drs Sheila and John Fletcher at Adeyfield. Soon after, the new neighbourhood was developed on a bare plateau of land and a second surgery was started from two rented rooms in a cottage at Bennetts End in 1953. At this time Dr John Jamieson joined this flourishing practice which was caring for nearly 2000 patients just five years after the start of the NHS. In 1955 a new purpose-build surgery at Bennetts End was rented from the development corporation and improvements were made to the Adeyfield Surgery. The partnership gradually expanded to five doctors at Bennetts End and four at Adeyfield with Drs Drake and Lim joining in 1974.

From the start, the doctors held infant welfare and antenatal clinics in the surgeries. In the 1960s the experienced doctors became GP and medical student trainers and new services for patients, such as family planning clinics, were added. The Practice also established an early interest in research. Whilst today it works in conjunction with the Medical Research Council and the Primary Care Research Network, it was involved in the RCGP Pill Study from as early as 1968!

In 1981 the two practices came together and built one new surgery building at Gatecroft, opening in 1986. The new GP contract and fundholding presented new opportunities during the 1990s for the delivery of health care services. In partnership with many local people, the surgery building was once again extended, this time to provide additional new facilities for in-house physiotherapy, counselling, adolescent health and travel services as well as a refreshment area from which the Friends of Bennetts End Surgery (FOBES) provide a warm welcome. The extended services for patients were opened in 1999 by Sir Donald Irvine, President of the General Medical Council, and Lady Sally Irvine. This development has gained national recognition with an NHS Beacon Award.

Health Visitors: 01442 255404
The primary role of the health visitor is to provide health education in the care and development of babies and to support the parents and families of pre-school children.

District Nurses: 01442 453700
The Community Nursing Team provides skilled, flexible nursing care to meet the health needs of individuals and carers within the community.

MASTA Travel Clinic: 01442 236733
This surgery offers an appointed Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) Travel Clinic which offers a comprehensive travel healthcare service.

Physiotherapy: 01442 261260
This surgery benefits from a dedicated physiotherapy suite to which patients are referred by their GP from across the locality.

Comments, Compliments and Complaints
Our aim is to provide a high standard of service at Bennetts End Surgery. Comments on any aspect of the Practice will be received with interest and these can be passed on to our trained staff or the Managing Partner who is happy to discuss your comments with you. We try to deal swiftly and sympathetically with any difficulties you may experience. The doctors would wish to know of any reason for dissatisfaction or praise. There is an in-house complaints procedure, compliant with NHS regulations, and our Head of Reception will be pleased to help you if you wish to make a suggestion or complaint.

Fernville Surgery
Midland Road
Hemel Hempstead
Herts HP2 5BL

01442 213919

Fernville Surgery

Fernville is a modern, expanding practice with an excellent reputation, located conveniently in Midland Road, close to Hemel Hempstead town centre.
Our practice area includes the whole of Hemel Hempstead and we welcome any patient not yet registered with a local Doctor

We provide evening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as a Saturday morning surgery.

Fernville Surgery Opening Hours
Monday 8.00 am to 6.30 pm
Tuesday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
Wednesday 8.00 am to 6.30 pm
Thursday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
Friday 8.00 am to 6.30 pm
Saturday 8.00 am to 12.00 noon

Except public holidays when the Surgery is closed

We Provide...
GP appointments within 2 working days.
Same day appointments for urgent problems
The option to book appointments up to 4 weeks ahead
The right to see a doctor or nurse of your choice

We Offer...
Evening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as a Saturday morning surgery.

Appointments
Appointments may be made:

In person at our reception desk.
By telephone. Please call (01442) 213919 between 8 am and 6.30 pm Monday to Friday.
On the Internet. Please follow the link in the panel on the left to "On-line services"
Would a telephone appointment be more convenient?
Where appropriate, telephone appointments are an efficient use of our clinicians' time and may be more convenient for the patient. If you would like to book a telephone appointment please tell the receptionist.

Making best use of our appointment system:
We try to balance the needs of all patients, providing some appointments that can be booked up to 4 weeks ahead, but releasing most appointments two days in advance. This arrangement ensures we can always provide a timely appointment for the acutely ill. We will always offer an appointment within two working days. If you have a medically urgent condition, we will offer an appointment the same day. However, in this case we cannot guarantee that you will see your usual doctor.

The widest selection of appointments will be available if you contact us one or two days before you wish to be seen. It is not necessary to call early in the morning. In fact, your call will be answered more quickly at a less busy time.

A few appointments in each surgery are released up to 4 weeks in advance. If you need to book ahead our receptionists will offer you a selection of appointments. Our internet booking service also offers a range of appointments at various times.

Finally, if you need a follow-up appointment, the doctor will give you a slip for the receptionist. This will ensure you can obtain an appointment at the appropriate time. Please make this appointment before leaving the surgery.

Please understand our receptionists cannot offer an appointment to you until it is released by our scheduling system. We must retain sufficient appointments for the acutely ill and we apologise if you cannot always see your preferred doctor at the time you choose. We continually monitor the availability of appointments, and we try to optimise our system to meet the needs of as many patients as possible.

You are welcome to consult any available doctor in the Practice. However, to ensure continuity of care, we encourage you to see your usual doctor wherever possible.

Please do not request emergency appointments other than for medically urgent problems.

If a hospital refers you to your GP or Practice Nurse (eg for removal of stitches) please make an appointment.

01442 265322

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