Woodlands Family Medical Centre was founded back in 1922 after Dr. Beatty and Dr. Collinson retired leading the way for Dr. Manners and Dr. Irving to set up their own practice at Van Mildert House, 27 Yarm Road in Stockton.
In 1932 Dr. Hunter, who also worked at Stockton and Thornaby hospital as a GP Surgeon, joined the practice, along with Dr. Manners who was a hospital physician.
Many of our now retired past doctors are remembered with fondness and admiration by our older patients.
The Woodlands Medical Centre building has been designed for disabled access. There is a disabled access point at the reception desk & disabled toilets. A wheelchair is available for those who require it for their visit. We would ask that you let us know if you need help as your disability may not be a visible one. We would also welcome any suggestions you may have in making your visit to the surgery easier.
The NHS e-Referral Service combines electronic booking with a choice of place, date and time for first hospital or clinic appointments. Patients can choose their first hospital or clinic appointment, book it in the GP surgery, online or on the phone.
Our core philosophy is all about promoting and encouraging a healthy lifestyle agenda
Here are some other great ideas that you can look at and follow through to ensure that you make a real positive difference for yourself, your family and your friends. Go for it!
CHANGE 4 LIFE
Learn how to eat well, move more and live longer. And have fun along the way at the same time! Find out how you can really start changing life around for you your family and your friends.
HEALTHY ACTIVITIES
How much physical activity do adults aged 19-64 years old need to do to stay healthy
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults.aspx
Early childhood (under 5 years old)
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-children.aspx
Young people (5 to 18 years old)
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-young-people.aspx
Older adults (65 and over)
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-older-adults.aspx
YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH BAROMETER
See how you measure up. Try out at home the psychological and aptitude tests, the instant weight calculators and lots more. Find out how healthy you really are with just a click of the mouse.
www.nhs.uk/livewell
www.bhf.org.uk
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
Misuse of drugs and alcohol can destroy the fabric of the individuals, families and friendships. Whether it is for you or for someone else see how you can access help and advice.
http://www.talktofrank.com/
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Alcoholhome.aspx
STRESS? WHAT STRESS?
Stress and anxiety can affect anyone at any time and can have consequences on job, family and health. Find out how to sleep better, beat the blues, do more and feel more confident in yourself.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/understanding-stress.aspx
10 Stress Busters
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/reduce-stress.aspx
Mental Wellbeing
Evidence suggests there are five steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing.
If you give them a try, you may feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/improve-mental-wellbeing.aspx
We strongly support the NHS policy on zero tolerance.
Anyone attending the surgery who abuses the GP's, staff or other patients verbally, physically or in any threatening manner whatsoever, will risk removal from the practice list.
In extreme cases we may summon the police to remove offenders from the practice premises.
When you first register with the practice you will be required to read and sign a declaration of zero tolerance.
Health Care / Medical
University Hospital of North Tees - 24-hour A&E - www.northeast.nhs.uk - (01642) 617 617
James Cook University Hospital - 24-hour A&E - www.northeast.nhs.uk - (01642) 850850
University Hospital of Hartlepool - Minor injury unit only - www.northeast.nhs.uk - (01429) 266 654
Darlington Memorial Hospital - 24-hour A&E - www.northeast.nhs.uk - (01325) 380 100
NHS Walk-in Centre - Stockton - Open Daily 8am-8pm - www.stocktonnhshealthcentre.nhs.uk - (01642) 525 480
NHS Walk-in Centre - Darlington Open Daily 8am-8pm - Dr Piper House, King Street, Darlington DL36JL - (01325) 364271
NHS 111 - If you need medical help fast, but its not a life-threatening emergency, call NHS 111 (replaces NHS Direct) NHS 111 Service
Teesside Dental Helpline - Finding a NHS Dentist and about NHS dental charges - www.tees.nhs.uk - 0345 045 0620
Dental Emergency Helpline - This is for dental emergencies out of normal hours only - www.teeswideoutofhours.nhs.uk - 0300 123 1933
British Red Cross - www.redcross.org.uk - 0844 871 1111
St John Ambulance - www.sja.org.uk - 08700 104950
National Blood Service - www.blood.co.uk - 0300 123 2323
NHS Organ Donar Register - www.uktransplant.org.uk - 0300 123 2323
Sexual Health - Advice and support on all aspects of sexual health, sex and relationships - www.fpa.org.uk - 0845 122 8690
National Helplines
Samaritans - Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. - www.samaritans.org - 08457 90 90 90
Cruse Bereavement Care - Cruse exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Services are free to bereaved people. - www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk - 0844 477 9400
Missing People - Missing People offers a lifeline for the 250,000 people who run away and go missing each year. For those left behind, we search and provide specialised support to end the heartache and confusion. - www.missingpeople.org.uk - 0500 700 700
Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre - Open every day of the year 12.00 to 2.30 and 7.00 to 9.30 - www.rasasc.org.uk - 0808 802 9999 - National Domestic Violence Helpline
Women's Aid - is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. They support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK. - www.womensaid.org.uk - 0808 2000 247
Victim Supportline - A national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales. - www.victimsupport.org - 0845 30 30 900
Carers Direct - Information, advice and support for carers - www.nhs.uk/carersdirect - 0808 802 02 02
Mind Infoline - Mind provides two confidential mental health information services. - www.mind.org.uk - 0845 766 0163
Parentline Plus - The leading national charity providing help and support to anyone caring for children – parents, grandparents, step-parents, relatives – for families living together as well as apart. - www.parentlineplus.org.uk - 0808 800 2222
National Debtline - The helpline that provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. - www.nationaldebtline.co.uk - 0808 808 4000
Shelter - If there's no time to get advice before you become homeless, it is still worth getting advice once you are homeless. You might have rights or housing options you don't know about. - www.england.shelter.org.uk - 0808 800 4444
Childline [24hr] - A free helpline offering comfort and advice for any young person with any problem. - www.childline.org.uk - 0800 1111
NSPCC Child Protection - Confidential 24hr help and support 0800 800 5000
Age UK - Formally Help The Aged/Age Concern - www.ageuk.org.uk - 0800 169 6565
SeniorLine - Advice and information service for older people - 0808 800 6565
Care UK - Working in close partnership with Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts, they provide care and support for older people as well as a range of health care services. - www.careuk.com (Online only)
Carers Federation - Dedicated to supporting carers of all ages - www.carersfederation.co.uk - 01159 629 310
Winter Warmth Advice Line - 0800 085 7000
Local Help
Stockton Borough Council - Customer Services - www.stockton.gov.uk - (direct link) - 393939
Middlesbrough Borough Council - Council Offices - www.middlesbrough.gov.uk - 245432
Children Education and Social Care - Children Education and Social Care (CESC - previously known as Social Services) offers support to many people in a wide range of circumstances. - www.stockton.gov.uk - (direct link) - 527764
Stockton Registry Office - Births, Deaths, Marriages - www.stockton.gov.uk - (direct link) - 527720
Middlesbrough Registry Office - Births, Deaths, Marriages - www.middlesbrough.gov.uk - (direct link) - 729366
The Coroner for the Redcar & Cleveland district - Coroners inquire into deaths reported to them, which appear to be violent, or of sudden and unknown causes. - www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk - (direct link) - 729350
Citizens Advice - Telephone advice service (limited hours) - www.adviceguide.org.uk - 607445
The George Hardwick FoundationCarers' Centre - Stockton - www.georgehardwickfoundation.org - 0845 3025523
The George Hardwick Foundation - North Tees - Centre for Carers' and Patients - www.georgehardwickfoundation.org - 0845 3025524
Alzheimer's Disease Society - 611110
Cleveland Police - www.cleveland.police.uk - 326326
Stockton Police - www.cleveland.police.uk - 607114
Middlesbrough Police - www.cleveland.police.uk - 248184
Crimestoppers - www.crimestoppers-uk.org - 0800 555 111
Help in an emergency
For police, fire brigade or ambulance call 999 or 112 - textphone 18000
British Transport Police - 0800 40 50 40
National Gas Emergency Service - 0800 111 999
NEDL - 0800 668877 - For Information on other local electricity companies see the Utilities heading in Thompson Local or Yellow Pages.
Floodline - 0845 988 1188
Northumbrian water [24hr] - 0845 717 1100
Requested links
Nutritionist Resource - Search for a nutritionist near you if you're in need of support, search their network to be connected with a professional nutritionist. - www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk - 01276 301235
Following recent activity on Facebook where patients of Woodlands Family Medical Centre posted derogatory comments about some of our staff, we now have the following policy in place.
If any such posts are brought to our attention we will contact the patients involved and invite them in to have a face to face discussion about the issues that they have. This will be viewed as a potential break down in the doctor – patient relationship and may result in you being removed from our list.
However, we would ask that rather than posting derogatory or hurtful comments about any of our staff on social media, or if there are any aspects of the service that you are not entirely happy with, please ask to speak to the practice manager about this or put your comments to us in writing giving us the opportunity to respond. We welcome all feedback, positive and negative as it gives us the opportunity to review the services that we provide and where necessary or appropriate, make any changes or improvements.
YOU WOULD NOT EXPECT TO READ DEROGATORY COMMENTS ABOUT YOURSELF AT YOUR OWN PLACE OF WORK, NOR DO WE.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998 people have the right to see any files about them, including their health records. Access can only be denied if there are compelling reasons. the Data Protection Act replaced the access to Health Records Act 1990 on 1st March 2000, except applications to see records of someone who has died.
The practice has a procedure for patients to apply to see their health records. If you would like further information or an application form please ask at reception.
A range of private medicals are available through our occupational health department Teesside Centre for Occupational Medicine.
We are the North East's premier occupational health facility
- APPOINTED BY THE HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
- ASBESTOS & IONISING RADIATION
- OFFSHORE MEDICALS - OIL & GAS
- HGV & PSV MEDICALS
From 1st April 2015, all practices are required to inform their patients including children of their named accountable GP. The named GP will have overall responsibility for the care and support that the surgery provides to you. However, you are welcome to see any doctor who is available.
If you would like to know who your named GP is please contact reception.
As an added service for our patients we employ the services of several other specialist personnel:
Pharmacist - Our in-house pharmacist is available by appointment to discuss your prescribing needs and any issues you may have regarding your medication.
No doctors appointment is necessary, you can ask for an appointment in the usual way.
Phlebotomy - Our phlebotomy department is open every weekday morning from 8.30am for patients who are fasting or who will be continuing on to their place of work and from 9.00am for everyone else, appointments are generally not required.
Phlebotomy finishes at 12.30pm but the doors may close before then if it is busy.
Phlebotomy is now also open on a Monday & Tuesday afternoon between 1.00pm and 3.00pm.
Phlebotomy (blood tests) are now by pre-booked appointment only, please call the surgery to book a blood test.
Counsellors - NHS counsellors are available by referral either by a doctor or self-referral via telephone helpline. Please ask at reception for a leaflet with contact details for the relevant NHS counselling service.
Alcohol Counselling - Advice regarding alcohol is provided in our surgery by our Healthcare Assistant as well as specialist alcohol workers.
Drug and alcohol services are also offered by:
Tees Addictive Behaviours Service - click here for details.
Lifeline - click here for details.
Implied Consent
Implied consent will be assumed for many routine physical contacts with patients. Where implied consent is to be assumed by the clinician, in all cases, the following will apply:
- an explanation will be given to the patient about what the clinician is about to do and why.
- the explanation will be sufficient for the patient to understand the procedure.
- in all cases where the patient is under 18 years of age, a verbal confirmation of consent will be obtained and briefly entered into the medical record.
- where there is significant risk to the patient an "expressed consent" will be obtained in all cases.
Expressed Consent
Expressed consent (written or verbal) will be obtained for any procedure which carries a risk that the patient is likely to consider as being substantial. A note will be made in the medical record detailing the discussion about the consent and the risks. A consent form may be used for the patient to express consent.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme.
A Publication Scheme is a guide to the 'classes' of information the practice intends to routinely make available.
The scheme is available from the practice manager Sharon Leonard
The new General Data Protection Regulation comes into force on 25th May 2018, superseding the current Data Protection Act (1998).
Under the terms of the new GDPR, a privacy notice is required to explain to patients what personal information is held about them and how it is collected and processed.
A direct link to our privacy notice is available below.
One very important aspect of the new GDPR is that the practice must now have explicit consent recorded in a patient's notes to be able to send text messages regarding:
- Appointment reminders
- Details of flu or other clinics
- Surgery closures
A text message will be sent on 15th May to all patients whose mobile phone number we hold, asking them to contact the surgery if they wish to continue to recieve these messages. it is extremely important that you do this before 21st May. On this date, all patients will be automatically opted out of recieving text messages and you will recieve no further text messages from the practice untill you take action.