Welcome to the new website for Bridge Street Surgery.
Carlsberg don't do doctoring - but if they did it would 'Probably' be like Bridge Street Surgery. In a recent survey 91% of patients said they would recommend us to a friend. See
http://tempuri.org/tempuri.html for more details and to compare us with the average for our PCT area, and with neighbouring practices.
At this practice you will never be asked to speak to a triage nurse in order to arrange an appointment. Nor will you have to ring on the day in order to arrange an appointment. Nor will you have to see a nurse practitioner when you want to see a doctor. -Or have to see a succession of trainee GP's!
At this practice you can book appointments in advance. You can also just turn up (if your problem is urgent) to open access surgery every weekday mornings 9-10.30 and you will be seen (bring a book!). You can see a doctor outside normal working hours as we do extended hours on monday and tuesday evenings. You can also see the same doctor for regular care of long term conditions.
Why? This is because we are a fairly small practice that has been established for a long time, and has a long tradition of mutual respect between doctors and patients. We are big enough to have a variety of skills and special interests, but small enough to know most of our patients, and our patients families. We have a fewer patients per GP than most practices, because we want to do a good job that satisfies us and this usually satisfies our patients. We have 2 male and 3 female GP's which is about the same split as our patient demand. We are happy to be old fashioned, but we are quick to use new technology if it helps us and our patients. For example - making appointments and requesting prescriptions online is much better than by phone.
At this practice your records are stored on our computer and can not be seen by doctors and staff at other practices in the area. All the doctors have their own 'special interests', which means that we can provide a lot of services such as coils and minor operations that other practices have to refer patients for. Our building is old and a bit inconvenient, but it is beautiful and has character. Practices like ours are becoming rarer, as doctors are moved into big purpose built white elephants.
Climate change will probably not affect middle aged doctors and office staff too badly, but it will be a big problem during our children's lifetime and an enormous problem during our grandchildren's. The NHS is a massive carbon dioxide emitter. Please try to minimise your carbon emissions, by asking if you really need to travel to the surgery or outpatients. Where it is reasonable please use our new telephone appointment service, and if you do need to come to the surgery consider walking or cycling.
News
The end of an Era. Dr Val aka Valerie Cowan will leave us around the end of August. Replacement urgently needed.
She started work at Bridge Street in 1988, and despite having young children, worked tirelessly from the word go. She reacted perhaps to a conventional upbringing in Ulster by developing a very lively and outgoing personality, which tends to be impatient with some conventions. After 23years, her energy and enthusiasm is undiminished, and she is still constantly interested in picking up new ideas. She keeps up her interest in a huge variety of areas of medicine, both conventional and alternative, and has a loyal following of patients who swear by her skills. She is leaving North Lincolnshire for greener pastures and will be very much missed.
We have advertised for a replacement, hoping for someone with big feet - as those shoes will be very hard to fill!
Shelly gets a first!
Practice Nurse Shelly Ibbotson has been awarded first class in her Diabetes Nursing degree. Any comparisons with the degrees awarded to the doctors in the practice are banned!
Practice IT change coming!
After using basically the same system for 22years - we are planning a major computer upgrade in the September. There will be disruption but hopefully not severe. The new system should hopefully help us become even more efficient!
Low dose aspirin is back on the recommended list for prevention!
Randomised trials have proved that low dose dispersible aspirin 75 mg daily is an effective means of preventing several forms of cancer. It is now recommended that most people should take this dose daily for at least 5 years from age 55.
Vitamin D deficiency is very common, and it matters.
In summer we need at least 30minutes every other day of midday sun on our faces and bare arms to get enough Vitamin D. Sunscreen blocks Vitamin D production completely. In winter we use up our stores. It is found in fish, but not enough to make much difference. Deficiency leads to all sorts of problems - muscular pains and weakness, and possibly Diabetes and Cancer. It is now recommended that unless you are a real outdoor freak, you buy supplements. 10mcg =400u daily for children and young adults, 25mcg or 1000u for over 65's and possibly 2000u for housebound elderly.
Online appointments and repeat prescriptions.
You can now request repeat medication and make appointments via the internet 24/7. Please register at reception for this very convenient service.
Cancer screening review
Despite the views of Cancer charities, a lot of experts are now questioning the value of Breast screening, and the programme is now under official review.
Repeat Prescriptions
Do you need to re-order your medication? Visit our prescriptions page and complete the online form. Find out more
Like To Register?
New to the area and would like to join our practice? We would be happy to help you. Fill in our registration forms and come see us. Find out more
Disabled Facilities
Both surgeries have access for wheelchairs, toilet facilities and car parking spaces for disabled patients. At the Brigg surgery disabled patients are welcome to park in our rear car park (reserved for staff and disabled patients) and use the back door, which is operated by a buzzer system at the right hand side of the door.
(Site updated 11/05/2012)