Your Essential Guide to Bideford Medical Centre

Accessing reliable and comprehensive healthcare is paramount, and for residents of Bideford, the Bideford Medical Centre stands as a cornerstone of local health services. Understanding how to connect with your GP practice, what services they offer, and what facilities are available can significantly streamline your healthcare journey. This detailed guide aims to provide all the crucial information you need, ensuring you can navigate your medical needs with ease and confidence, from making an appointment to understanding the extensive care options at your fingertips.

Reaching the Centre: Key Contact Details

Contacting Bideford Medical Centre is straightforward, with dedicated lines for appointments and general enquiries. The centre is strategically located, making it accessible for patients across Bideford and the surrounding areas. For any medical needs or administrative questions, having the correct contact information is the first step.

• Address: Abbotsham Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3AF
• Phone Number for Appointments: 01237 476363
• Fax Number: 01237 423351

Please note that the primary contact method for booking appointments or discussing your care needs is via the specified phone number. The practice falls under the effective clinical commissioning of NHS Devon CCG, ensuring adherence to national healthcare standards and local patient needs.

When to Visit: Comprehensive Opening Hours

Bideford Medical Centre understands the diverse schedules of its patients, offering extensive opening hours throughout the week. It's always advisable to check these times before planning your visit or making a call to ensure you connect with them during operational hours. The practice is particularly notable for its extended hours on certain days, providing much-needed flexibility for those with busy lifestyles.

Here are the general opening times for Bideford Medical Centre:

The extended Tuesday evening hours are a significant benefit, allowing patients who might struggle to attend during conventional working hours to access care. These times are for general practice operations, including reception services and appointments. Always confirm specific clinic times or doctor availability when booking your appointment.

A Spectrum of Services: Clinics and Treatments Offered

Bideford Medical Centre is committed to providing a wide range of healthcare services to meet the diverse needs of its registered patients, encompassing preventative care, chronic disease management, and minor surgical procedures. The availability of these services in-house means greater convenience and continuity of care for you and your family.

• Minor Surgery (e.g., removal of moles and skin lesions) - provided in-house: This service allows for the convenient removal of minor skin conditions directly at the practice, saving patients the need to travel to a hospital or specialist clinic for common procedures.
• Child Health and Development: Dedicated clinics focus on the health, growth, and development of children, including routine check-ups and immunisations, ensuring the youngest members of the community get the best start in life.
• Asthma Clinic: Specialised clinics are available for patients managing asthma, offering regular reviews, personalised management plans, and education to help control symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Learning Disability Health Check: This vital service provides comprehensive health checks tailored for individuals with learning disabilities, ensuring their specific health needs are identified and addressed proactively, promoting better overall well-being.

These services highlight the practice's dedication to holistic patient care, addressing specific health concerns within a familiar and accessible environment. The aim is to provide comprehensive healthcare that supports all age groups and a variety of medical conditions.

Facilities for Your Convenience: Parking and Accessibility

Understanding the challenges patients might face with accessibility, Bideford Medical Centre provides essential facilities to ensure a smooth visit. One of the most critical aspects for many patients arriving by car is the availability of parking.

• Car Parking: Yes, the centre offers dedicated car parking facilities. This is a significant advantage, reducing stress and making it easier for patients, especially those with mobility issues or young children, to attend their appointments without worrying about finding a space.

The presence of ample parking underscores the practice's patient-centred approach, aiming to remove common barriers to accessing healthcare.

The Dedicated Team Behind Your Care: Medical Staff

The quality of a medical practice is often defined by the expertise and dedication of its staff. Bideford Medical Centre boasts a substantial team of medical professionals, comprising 13 General Practitioners and a Practice Manager, all committed to delivering high-quality care to their 15,555 registered patients.

The General Practitioners include: Dr Elizabeth Kershaw, Dr Andrew Clarke, Dr Richard Obrien, Dr Steffan James, Dr Jessica Lloyd-jones, Dr Edward Bond, Dr Nicola Relph, Dr Glenys Knight, Dr Geoffrey Stuart Spencer, Dr Ruth Clare Elizabeth Down, Dr Sarah Ansell, Dr Duncan James Bardner, and Dr Yuk-lung Chan. Overseeing the practice's operations is Ms Caroline Sanford, the Practice Manager. This diverse team ensures a wide range of medical expertise is available, catering to the varied health needs of the community.

Embracing Modern Healthcare: Patient Demographics and Online Services

Bideford Medical Centre is a large, busy practice, serving a total of 15,555 registered patients, comprising 7,832 female and 7,723 male patients. To manage this extensive patient base efficiently and offer modern convenience, the centre has embraced several digital healthcare solutions.

• Electronic Prescription Service (EPS): The practice offers the Electronic Prescription Service, which allows your GP to send your prescription directly to your chosen pharmacy. This means you don't need a paper prescription, saving you time and simplifying the process of getting your medicines. It's a secure and efficient way to manage your repeat prescriptions.
• Online Patient Management Information (POMI) System: The centre has robust online services designed to empower patients with greater control over their healthcare administration.

The functionality status of the online system is as follows:

Online Booking of Appointments:

• Status: Enabled
• Total 'Online Patients' Registered: 5,412
• Total Appointments Booked/Cancelled Online (within reporting month): 132

This service allows patients to book and cancel appointments at their convenience, 24/7, reducing the need for phone calls during busy periods. It's an excellent way to manage your schedule and ensure you get the appointments you need.

Online Ordering of Repeat Prescriptions:

• Status: Enabled
• Total 'Online Patients' Registered: 5,436
• Total Prescriptions Ordered Online (within reporting month): 1,059

Ordering repeat prescriptions online is incredibly convenient, allowing you to request your regular medicines from the comfort of your home, at any time. This reduces the administrative burden on the practice and ensures you receive your medication efficiently.

Online Patient Record Access:

• Status: Patients can view detailed coded records online
• Total 'Online Patients' Registered: 1,157
• Total Accesses of Patient Record (within reporting month): 757

Being able to view your detailed coded care record online provides transparency and allows you to keep track of your health information, including diagnoses, medications, and test results. This empowers patients to be more involved in their own healthcare management.

These online appointment booking and prescription services are designed to enhance patient experience, offering flexibility and reducing the need for direct contact for routine tasks, freeing up phone lines for urgent queries.

Commitment to Quality: Performance Metrics

Bideford Medical Centre regularly assesses its performance against various healthcare metrics to ensure it is providing the highest standard of care to its patients. These measures cover a wide range of services, from preventative health to chronic disease management, and offer insights into the practice's effectiveness.

• Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Ratings: The practice has received a CQC Good rating, indicating that it is performing well and meeting fundamental standards of quality and safety. This rating provides reassurance to patients about the overall quality of care they can expect.
• Cancer Detection Rate: 52.27% of new cancer diagnoses were detected by the practice, out of 132 new diagnoses. This highlights the practice's role in early detection and diagnosis.
• Cervical Cancer Screening: 72.9% of eligible women were screened, out of 3,528. High screening rates are crucial for preventative health.
• Dementia - Face to Face Reviews: 86.67% of diagnosed patients (out of 120) were reviewed by a GP. Regular reviews are vital for managing long-term conditions.
• Diabetes - Managing Blood Glucose Level (HbA1c): 83.62% of patients (out of 635) were within a recommended level. Effective management of chronic conditions significantly improves patient outcomes.
• Flu Vaccinations: Excellent uptake among vulnerable groups, with 73.0% of eligible people aged 65 and over vaccinated (out of 3,468), and 46.8% of eligible under 65s in at-risk groups vaccinated (out of 1,512).
• High Blood Pressure Management: 92.17% of patients (out of 2,070) had recommended measurements, indicating strong cardiovascular care.
• Mental Health – Comprehensive Care Planning: 96.52% of patients (out of 115) had a care plan, underscoring the practice's commitment to mental well-being.
• Patient Experience - Confidence and Trust in Healthcare Professional: 97.43% of respondents (out of 187) had confidence, reflecting high patient satisfaction.
• Patient Satisfaction with GP Practice Appointment Times: 70.87% of respondents (out of 187) were satisfied, showing a good level of access.
• Child Vaccinations: High rates for key childhood immunisations: 96.62% for the 5:1 vaccine (aged 1), 97.02% for Haemophilus influenzae type b and Meningitis C booster, 97.02% for Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine, and 97.02% for pneumococcal conjugate booster vaccine (all aged 2). These figures are excellent and vital for public health.
• Stroke prevention: 86.98% of patients with atrial fibrillation were treated (out of 315), demonstrating proactive care to prevent serious health events.

These performance indicators illustrate the practice's dedication to clinical excellence, preventative care, and positive patient experiences, reinforcing its role as a leading GP practice in Bideford.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Understanding the common queries patients might have, here are some frequently asked questions about Bideford Medical Centre, providing quick answers to help you navigate your healthcare needs.

How do I book an appointment at Bideford Medical Centre?
You can book an appointment by calling the centre directly on 01237 476363 during opening hours. Additionally, for convenience, Bideford Medical Centre offers online appointment booking through their patient online management system, allowing you to schedule or cancel appointments at any time.

What are the core services offered by the centre?
Bideford Medical Centre provides a range of essential services including minor surgery (such as mole removal), child health and development checks, a dedicated Asthma Clinic, and specialised health checks for individuals with learning disabilities. They are equipped to handle various general practice needs in-house.

Can I get my prescriptions online?
Yes, the centre fully supports the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), which means your prescriptions can be sent directly to your chosen pharmacy electronically. Furthermore, you can order your repeat prescriptions online through their patient online management system, making the process quick, easy, and paperless.

Is there parking available at Bideford Medical Centre?
Yes, Bideford Medical Centre provides dedicated car parking facilities for patients, making it convenient for those travelling by car to attend their appointments without the hassle of finding street parking.

Does the centre have extended opening hours?
Yes, Bideford Medical Centre offers extended evening hours on Tuesdays, remaining open until 20:00. This provides greater flexibility for patients who may find it difficult to attend appointments during standard working hours from Monday to Friday.

How many patients are registered at Bideford Medical Centre?
As of the latest data, Bideford Medical Centre serves a large patient base with a total of 15,555 registered patients. This includes 7,832 female and 7,723 male registered patients, reflecting its significant role in the local community.

What is the CQC rating for Bideford Medical Centre?
Bideford Medical Centre holds a CQC Good rating, indicating that the Care Quality Commission has assessed the practice as performing well and meeting the required standards for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led services.

Can I view my medical records online?
Yes, Bideford Medical Centre offers online patient record access. Registered online patients can view elements of their detailed coded care record, providing them with greater transparency and involvement in managing their own health information.

Conclusion

Bideford Medical Centre stands as a vital resource for the health and well-being of the Bideford community. With its accessible location, comprehensive range of in-house services, dedicated medical team, and modern online facilities, it strives to provide exceptional patient care. Whether you need to book an appointment, order a repeat prescription, or simply understand the services available, the centre is equipped to meet your needs efficiently and effectively. Their commitment to quality, reflected in their CQC Good rating and strong performance metrics, ensures that patients receive the high standard of care they deserve.

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