10/11/2005
In the heart of Bournemouth, nestled conveniently on East Way, lies St Albans Medical Centre, a cornerstone of community healthcare. As one of the leading GP practices in the area, it serves as a vital first point of contact for countless patients seeking high-quality medical attention and support. This article delves into the array of services offered, the dedicated team behind the care, and essential information for those looking to access their comprehensive healthcare provisions.
- About St Albans Medical Centre
- Comprehensive Healthcare Services on Offer
- Accessing Your Care: Appointments and Opening Hours
- Meet the Dedicated Team
- Patient Facilities and Accessibility
- Commitment to Quality: Performance and CQC Rating
- Understanding GP Services: Your First Point of Contact
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How do I contact St Albans Medical Centre?
- What specific services does St Albans Medical Centre offer?
- What are the opening times for St Albans Medical Centre?
- Is parking available at St Albans Medical Centre?
- What is the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)?
- What does a 'Good' CQC rating mean for St Albans Medical Centre?
- Conclusion
About St Albans Medical Centre
St Albans Medical Centre is strategically located at East Way, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 9PU, making it easily accessible for residents across the region. With a commitment to providing patient-centred care, the centre operates under the effective clinical commissioning of NHS Dorset CCG, ensuring that its services meet the highest standards of the National Health Service. For appointments and general enquiries, patients can readily contact the centre by telephone on 01202 517333. While a dedicated website and email are not provided in the public information, the telephone remains the primary and most efficient mode of communication for securing your healthcare needs.
Comprehensive Healthcare Services on Offer
At the core of St Albans Medical Centre's mission is a diverse range of services designed to address the varied health requirements of its patient population. As a general practitioner (GP) practice, it is typically the first port of call for anyone needing to access NHS services. GPs are adept at treating common medical conditions, offering advice, and prescribing necessary medications. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in referring patients to hospitals or other specialist services when more urgent or specific treatment is required, and are often able to perform minor surgeries within the practice.
Specialised Clinics for Targeted Care
Beyond general consultations, St Albans Medical Centre provides specialised clinics, demonstrating a commitment to proactive and preventative healthcare for specific conditions:
- Asthma Clinic: This dedicated clinic offers vital support for patients living with asthma. It provides regular check-ups, medication reviews, and personalised action plans to help manage symptoms, prevent exacerbations, and improve overall quality of life. Patients receive guidance on inhaler techniques, triggers, and lifestyle adjustments to better control their condition.
- Learning Disability Health Check: Recognising the importance of tailored healthcare for individuals with learning disabilities, this service ensures that these patients receive comprehensive annual health checks. These checks are crucial for identifying and addressing health issues early, promoting wellbeing, and ensuring that any specific needs are met with appropriate support and care.
Streamlined Prescribing with Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)
St Albans Medical Centre embraces modern healthcare technology by offering the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). This innovative service significantly simplifies the process of obtaining your medicines. With EPS, your GP can send your prescription directly to your nominated pharmacy electronically, eliminating the need for a paper prescription. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of lost prescriptions and offers greater convenience, especially for those with long-term conditions requiring regular medication. It's a testament to the centre's dedication to efficient and patient-friendly services.
Accessing Your Care: Appointments and Opening Hours
Understanding how and when to access the medical centre is crucial for effective patient care. St Albans Medical Centre strives to offer convenient appointment times for its patients.
Booking Your Appointment
Patients are encouraged to contact the medical centre directly on 01202 517333 to book appointments. It is always advisable to call during opening hours to discuss your needs with the reception team who can guide you to the most appropriate service or practitioner.
General Opening Times
The medical centre provides consistent opening hours throughout the working week. While the provided information lists two sets of times, it is common for GP practices to have general reception hours and specific clinic/appointment hours. For clarity, we present the stated times:
General Practice Opening Hours:
- Monday: 08:00 - 17:30
- Tuesday: 08:00 - 17:30
- Wednesday: 08:00 - 17:30
- Thursday: 08:00 - 17:30
- Friday: 08:00 - 17:30
Additional/Specific Session Hours (Patients should verify for appointment types):
- Monday: 14:00 - 17:30
- Tuesday: 14:00 - 17:30
- Wednesday: 14:00 - 17:30
- Thursday: 14:00 - 17:30
- Friday: 14:00 - 17:30
It is always recommended to confirm specific appointment availability and the best time to call when booking your visit.
Meet the Dedicated Team
The quality of care at any medical centre is profoundly influenced by the expertise and dedication of its staff. St Albans Medical Centre boasts a team of 7 medical professionals committed to catering to your healthcare needs. This includes a robust team of General Practitioners and vital administrative leadership.
General Practitioners (GPs)
The heart of any GP practice lies with its doctors. The General Practitioners at St Albans Medical Centre are highly qualified and experienced individuals responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses, providing preventative care, and managing chronic conditions. The team includes:
- Dr Julian Michael Jon Adams (GMC Number: 4725554)
- Dr Corinne Rose Pavy (GMC Number: 4107932)
- Dr Michael Davies (GMC Number: 6149817)
- Dr Phil Tomlinson (GMC Number: 6129706)
- Dr Julie Barrett (GMC Number: 6148337)
- Dr Asmita Mistry (GMC Number: 6054215)
These GPs work collaboratively to ensure a consistent and high standard of medical care for all patients.
Practice Management
Supporting the clinical team and ensuring the smooth operation of the centre is the Practice Manager, Mrs Denise Lavey. The role of a practice manager is crucial in overseeing the administrative functions, patient services, and overall efficiency of the medical centre, ensuring that patients receive organised and effective care.
Patient Facilities and Accessibility
Understanding the practical aspects of visiting a medical centre is important for patients. St Albans Medical Centre provides essential facilities to enhance patient convenience.
Car Parking
One of the key facilities available at St Albans Medical Centre is car parking. This is a significant advantage for patients travelling by car, ensuring easier access and reducing the stress associated with finding a parking space, particularly for those who may be feeling unwell or have mobility challenges.
Commitment to Quality: Performance and CQC Rating
St Albans Medical Centre's dedication to providing excellent patient care is reflected in its performance metrics and regulatory ratings.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Ratings
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their role is to ensure that healthcare services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care. St Albans Medical Centre has received a 'Good' rating from its CQC inspection. This 'Good' rating signifies that the centre is performing well and meeting the expected standards of care in key areas such as safety, effectiveness, caring, responsiveness, and leadership.
Flu Vaccination Performance
Public health initiatives, such as flu vaccination campaigns, are vital for community health. St Albans Medical Centre actively participates in these programmes, and its performance reflects a strong commitment to preventative health. The vaccination rates for the flu season highlight their efforts:
| Flu Vaccination Group | Percentage Vaccinated | Eligible People |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 and over | 73.2% | 2041 |
| Under 65 At Risk Groups | 54.1% | 962 |
These figures demonstrate the centre's proactive approach to protecting vulnerable patient groups from seasonal influenza, contributing significantly to public health in Bournemouth.
Understanding GP Services: Your First Point of Contact
A General Practitioner (GP) practice, such as St Albans Medical Centre, is the cornerstone of primary healthcare within the NHS. For most people, a GP is their first point of contact for any health concerns or medical needs that are not life-threatening emergencies. The role of a GP is incredibly broad and encompasses a wide array of services designed to keep the population healthy and to manage illness effectively.
GPs are highly trained medical professionals who can diagnose and treat a vast range of common medical conditions. This includes everything from minor ailments like colds and flu to more complex or chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or mental health issues. They provide continuity of care, often getting to know their patients over many years, which allows for a more holistic and personalised approach to health management.
Beyond diagnosis and treatment, GPs are also responsible for prescribing necessary medications, offering advice on healthy lifestyles, and providing preventative care such as vaccinations and health screenings. When a condition requires more specialised attention, GPs act as gatekeepers to secondary care, referring patients to hospitals, consultants, or other specialist services like physiotherapy, counselling, or community nursing teams. They ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time from the most appropriate healthcare professional. In some instances, GPs also perform minor surgical procedures within the practice, saving patients a trip to the hospital for less complex interventions. This comprehensive approach ensures that St Albans Medical Centre is well-equipped to manage the diverse healthcare needs of the Bournemouth community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I contact St Albans Medical Centre?
You can contact St Albans Medical Centre by telephone on 01202 517333. This number can be used for booking appointments, general enquiries, and seeking advice during their operational hours.
What specific services does St Albans Medical Centre offer?
St Albans Medical Centre offers general GP services including diagnosis and treatment of common medical conditions, referrals to specialists, and minor surgeries. Additionally, they have specialised clinics such as an Asthma Clinic and a Learning Disability Health Check service. They also provide the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) for convenient medication collection.
What are the opening times for St Albans Medical Centre?
The general practice opening hours for St Albans Medical Centre are Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 17:30. There are also specific session hours listed from 14:00 to 17:30 on weekdays. It is advisable to call the centre directly to confirm specific appointment availability and the best time to visit or call for your particular needs.
Is parking available at St Albans Medical Centre?
Yes, St Albans Medical Centre provides car parking facilities for patients, making it convenient for those who travel by car to their appointments.
What is the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)?
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) allows your GP to send your prescription directly to your nominated pharmacy electronically. This means you do not need a paper prescription, making the process of getting your medicines quicker, safer, and more convenient.
What does a 'Good' CQC rating mean for St Albans Medical Centre?
A 'Good' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) signifies that St Albans Medical Centre is performing well across all key areas of care. This includes providing safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led services, demonstrating their commitment to high-quality patient care.
Conclusion
St Albans Medical Centre stands as a pivotal healthcare provider in Bournemouth, offering a comprehensive range of services from general practice consultations to specialised clinics for asthma and learning disabilities. With its dedicated team of GPs and supporting staff, convenient access via telephone and on-site parking, and a commendable 'Good' CQC rating, the centre demonstrates a strong commitment to patient wellbeing. By embracing modern solutions like the Electronic Prescription Service, St Albans Medical Centre continues to evolve, ensuring that residents of Bournemouth have access to efficient, compassionate, and high-quality healthcare when they need it most. It truly serves as a reliable health hub for the community.
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