Crossin Higgins & Mcmullan Practice

Crossin Higgins & McMullan Practice

Carrick Hill Surgery 1 Carrick Hill Belfast, BT1 2JR

Telephone: 02890 268080 Fax: 02890 328050

Website www.CrossinHigginsandMcMullan.co.uk

When the surgery is closed call 02890 744447 Drs Crossin, Higgins & McMullan Practice

Working in 2 locations at Carrick Hill and Glen Road Surgeries the doctors and nurses take pride in offering the highest standard of patient-centred healthcare. We run many clinics for chronic disease care and offer a wide variety of other medical services such as antenatal and postnatal care, minor surgery, childhood vaccinations and well- person check-ups.

In addition to everything you need to know about the practice you will also find a wealth of health-related information in the menu on the right hand side. Please have a look around and do send us some feedback if you like.

We are pleased to announce that on 1st April 2011 Dr Heloise Archer joined the Practice as a new partner. Dr Archer has been a retainer with the practice since 2006 and knows a lot of our patients. We wish her every sucess in this new partnership.

HALF DAY CLOSURE

The surgery willclose at 12.30pm on Wednesday 21st November 2012 for staff training. We re-open as normal on;Thursday 22nd November 2012 8.30am.

For Medical Emergencies please ring Out of Hours GPs on 9074447.

TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE. The Practice is currently operating a text message service for some of our clinics. If you have a mobile number and would like to receive a text message reminder of your appointment please inform the receptionist of your mobile number.

PATIENT ACCESS

You can book appointments and order prescriptions online please follow the links for appointments and prescriptions. Carrick Hill Opening Times

The surgery is open from 8.30am each morning until 5.30pm each afternoon. Telephones will be answered until 6.00pm each day. The surgery closes for lunch between 12.30pm and 2.00pm every day.

Morning Afternoon Monday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Tuesday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Wednesday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Thursday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Friday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Weekend closed closed

Glen Road Opening Times

The surgery is open form 8.30am each morning until 5.30pm each afternoon. Telephones will be answered until 6.00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and until 5.30pm on Thursday. The surgery closes for lunch each day between 12.30pm and 2.00pm.

Morning Afternoon Monday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Tuesday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Wednesday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Thursday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17.30 Friday 08:30 - 12:30 14:00 - 17:30 Weekend closed closed

When We Are Closed

The local out of hours provider NORTH AND WEST BELFAST URGENT CARE looks after the urgent needs of patients from 6.00pm – 8.30am weekdays, 24 hours at weekends and Bank holidays.

To access this service please telephone 028 90744447.

The on call doctor will either give you advice by telephone or arrange to see you at the out of hours centre or if appropriate visit you at home.

This service is for EMERGENCIES only or if your problem cannot wait until the next normal surgery. The Practice recommends all patients should register with a dentist for their dental care.

NHS Direct

In the case of urgent need when the practice is closed you can view the NHS Direct (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/) website for minor illnesss advice/

Please do not ask to see a doctor out of hours unless you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.

Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.

The surgery will be closed on the following dates for the year 2012/2013

To avoid delay and disappointment please order your repeat medication in advance.

Please note that on the day after a holiday closure the practice operates a walk in surgery. No appointment necessary. Patients must present to reception before 10am.

St Patricks Day - Monday 19th March 2012

STAFF TRAINING DAYS

Thursday 10th May - close at 12.30pm

Wednesday 20th June 2012 - close at 12.30pm

Thursday 13th September 2012 - close at 12.30pm Wednesday 21st November 2012- close at 12.30pm

Thursday 17th January 2013 -close at 12.30pm

Wednesday 27th February 2013 - close at 12.30pm

Easter Monday & Tuesday 9th And 10th April 2012

1st Bank Holiday Monday 7th May 2012

2nd Bank Holiday Monday 4th June 2012

Queens Jubliee Tuesday 5th June 2012

Thursday 12th July and Friday 13th July 2012

Bank Holiday August - Monday 27th August

Christmas Holidays December - Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th December

New Years Holidays January - Tuesday 1st January 2013

St Patricks Day - Monday 18th March 2013

The flu clinics have finished now but you can still make an appointment to see the nurse if you wish to have your flu vaccine.

Please ring the receptionist and book an appointment NOW. Appointments You can book an appointment by telephoning the surgery on 02890 268080 for Carrick Hill Surgery and 02890 306996for Glen Road Surgery and choose Option 2 Mon-Fri 8.30am -6.00pm.

Normal appointments are for 10 minutes and cannot accommodate 2 people unless agreed by the Doctor. If you require a longer or shorter period, please advise receptionist when booking.

Open surgery runs every Mondayand Thursday morning at Carrick Hill Medical Centre and Every Monday and Friday at Glen Road Surgery, until 10:00am no appointment is needed. Patients MUST ARRIVE before 10am and will be seen on a first-come first- served basis. If you have more than ONEproblem to discuss please make a routine appointment. Due to the nature of open surgery, you may have a long wait to see the Doctor. If you do not need to be seen quickly, you are advised to make a routine appointment with the doctor of your choice

This Practice offers access to the Doctors or Nurse within two working days. We will endeavour to offer you a consultation with the practitioner of your preference in person or by telephone.

EMERGENCIES/URGENT PROBLEMS – will be dealt with on the same day by the first available doctor. In order for this service to be effective and efficient, the Doctors require the Receptionist to ask for details of your condition. Please use this service with consideration. Try not to ask the doctor about problems which are unrelated and can wait.

PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU – if you are unable to keep your appointment, please let us know ass soon as possible so that we can offer it to another patient. Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 10am if you require a home visit.

A doctor or nurse may phone you back as it may be that your problem can be dealt with by telephone advice, or that it would be more appropriate to send a nurse, or indeed arrange a hospital attendance.

House visits are only available for patients who are housebound because of illness or disability.

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the Surgery.

TREATMENT ROOM NURSE

The treatment room at Carrick Hill Medical Centre is staffed by Nurses from the North and West Belfast Trust.

The treatment room nurse is availble by appointment only each morning from 8.30am until 12.00pm Monday to Friday and in the afternoon from 2:00pm to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday.

When ringing to book an appointment with the nurse please inform the reception staff the reason for your appointment as some procedures require more than 10 minutes routine appointment time. TREATMENT ROOM TIMES

Monday - Friday 8.30am to 12.pm

Monday - Thursday 2.00pm - 4.30pm

TREATEMENT ROOM NURSE

The Practice Nurses Mrs Jacqueline Coleman and Patricia Thompson run the treatment room at Glen Road Surgery.

The Practice Nurse is available by appointment only each morning Monday to Thursday between 8.30am and 12.20pm.

There are two afternoon sessions available for the nurse on Tuesday afternoon between 2.00pm and 4.30pm This is run by the Trust Nurses

and on Thursday afternoon between 2.00pm and 4.00pm This session is run by our Practice Nurse Patricia Thompson.

TELEPHONE ADVICE

The Doctors and Nurses are happy to offer advice on the telephone during Practice opening hours.

If a call is urgent, please say to the receptionist who will make the Doctor or Nurse aware.

Doctors/Nurses are not always available to take calls immediately.

You will be asked to leave your name, telephone number and nature of your call, do not be offended as the receptionists have been asked to do this by the Doctor and Nurse.

Your call will be returned as soon as the Doctor or Nurse becomes available.

The Doctor or Nurse will only make 1 phone call to you so please ensure you are available to take their call. Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat Prescriptions can be ordered in the following ways:-

1. Telephone 02890 268080 for Carrick Hill Surgery or 02890 306996 for Glen Road Surgery and choose Option 1 – leave your Name, DOB and medication required. Speak slowly and clearly. Allow 24hours for collection. This service is available Monday – Friday, Weekends and Bank Holidays. This is for REPEAT MEDICATIONS ONLY.

2. Online - Via the forms on this page. Ask at reception for more details. Allow 48hours for collection.

3. Post - your request to the surgery enclosing self-addressed envelopes.

4. Your local Pharmacy – can both order and collect and often deliver repeat prescriptions on your behalf, please speak with your local Pharmacist for this service.

ACUTE PRESCRIPTIONS Should be ordered by telephone 02890 268080 for Carrick Hill Surgery or 02890 306996 for Glen Road Surgery from 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday – Friday.

Details of your medical complaint and a contact number will be requested as the Doctor may wish to speak with you.

Carrick Hill Surgery online repeat prescription form

Glen Road Surgery online repeat prescription form

PLEASE ALLOW 48HOURS BEFORE COLLECTION OF EMAIL PRESCRIPTIONS

From 1st April 2010 NHS prescriptions are free of charge.

The practice reserves the right to deney certain medications on NHS prescriptions.

This practice does not prescribe sleeping tablets, anxiety tablets and strong painkillers unless under regular GP supervision appointments.

This practice prescribes generic drugs.

Please allow 48 hours, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, for your request to be processed. Any problems please telephone the surgery. From October 2012 we will administrating the flu vaccine. Please ring the surgery at the end of September to make an appointment to received the vaccine.

THE SURGERY WILL BE RUNNING FLU WALK IN CLINICS THIS YEAR FOR THOSE PATIETS WHO GET THE VACCINE EACH YEAR.

NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY. THE CLINICS ARE ON SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER AT GLEN ROAD AND SATURDAY 13TH OCTOBER AT CARRICK HILL BETWEEN 9AM AND 12PM. Clinics & Services

Dr Crossin Higgins & McMullan Practice provide the following services:-

 Antenatal  Family Planning  Asthma  COPD Monitoring  Minor Injury  Minor Surgery  Mental Health  Epilepsy  Travel Clinics  Immunisation  BP Monitoring  Child Health  Chronic Disease Management  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)  Obesity Intervention  Diabetes  Warfarin and Drug Monitoring  Smoking Cessation  Well Woman and Well Man Clinic

ROUTINE HEALTH CHECKS

Including blood pressure and cholesterol checks are also available to any patient who has not attended in the previous 3 years. This is especially important for patients over the age of 65. Test Results Test Results

Please call after 2pm each day to enquire about your test results as our reception staff will have more time to deal with your request between these times.

Note that the practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior permission for the release of this data or they are not capable of understanding the results.

When you take your test you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice.

It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if your are advised to do so. Health Visitors & Midwives

Health Visiting and Midwifery Services

Provided by North & West Health & Social Care Trust

Treatment Room Services – 02890741188-Glen Road Surgery

02890278833- Carrick Hill Surgery

District Nursing Services – 0845 6066596

Midwifery Services – 02890 610611Glen Road Surgery

02890 636222- Carrick Hill Surgery

Health Visiting Services – 02890 610611 Glen Road Surgery

0845 3006650 - Carrick Hill Surgery Child Hood Vaccine Schedule

HEALTH VISITING AND MIDWIFERY SERVICES

Provided by North Travel Questionnaire Form Registration

NEW PATIENTS

All new patients are welcome from our catchment area. We are committed to providing you with the best service possible. Please complete our registration forms that are available from our reception. You will be treated with respect as an individual, irrespective of ethnic origin, age, religious beliefs, personal attributes or the nature of your health problems.

This practice DOES NOT prescribe sleeping tablets, anxiety tablets and strong painkillers unless under regular GP supervised appointments. If you are currently taking sleeping tablets or anxiety tablets these will be reviewed, reduced and eventually stopped inline with best practice as most of these drugs are not for long term use.

The practice requires proof of identity for all new patients. You will need to produce a copy of your passports/visa/driving licence and a utility bill.

TO REGISTER AS A NEW PATIENT

To Register with the practice, please call at reception and bring your signed medical card if possible. Patients are registered with the practice rather than an individual doctor.

All patients registering with the Practice will be asked to attend a health check. CSA Non English Forms

In order to obtain a medical card you need to fill in an application form, which is called HS22X. This form is available in English and in a range of other languages. Please click on the respective links below to download the form in English and/or in translation.

Click here for an applica English (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/english2007.pdf) tion form for a medical card

Portuguese (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/portuguese2007.pdf)

Polish (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/polish2007.pdf)

Latvian (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/latvian2007.pdf)

Czech (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/czech2007.pdf)

Lithuanian (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/lithuanian2007.pdf)

Russian (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/russian2007.pdf)

Slovak (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/slovak2007.pdf)

Urdu (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/urdu2007.pdf) Cliceáil anseo i gcomha Irish (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/irish2007.pdf) ir foirme iarratai s

Hindi (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/hindi2007.pdf)

Chinese (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/chinese2007.pdf) Click here for an applica tion Bulgarian (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/bulgarian.pdf) form for a medical card Click here for Romanian an (www.centralservicesagency.com/files/files/file/romanian.pdf) applica tion form for a medical card

Content courtesy of the Central Services Agency (www.centralservicesagency.n- i.nhs.uk/display/translations) , N.Ireland Confidentiality Confidentiality

The practice complies with Data Protection and Access to Medical Records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

 To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.  To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.  When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Freedom of Information

The ICO has published a new Model Publication Scheme that all public authorities are required to adopt by 1st January 2009.

Model Publication Scheme - further information (www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/introductory/freedo m_of_information_factsheet.pdf) Comments & Complaints Comments & Complaints

If you wish to make a comment, compliment or complaint about the Practice, please contact our Practice Manager, Mrs Tina Fegan, with details. A written response will be provided within 10 days.

The Practice does not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition.

Verbally Abusive or Violent patients will not be tolerated by the Practice under any circumstances.

The Health Service Ombudsman

The Health Service Ombudsman has published a booklet that describes the ‘six principles for remedy’ in relation to complaints handling and involves:

1. Getting it right 2. Being customer focused 3. Being open and accountable 4. Acting fairly and proportionately 5. Putting things right 6. Seeking continuous improvements

If you remain unhappy after everything has been done to try to resolve your concern or complaint you have the right to approach the Ombudsman. Tel: 0345 015 4033 Email: [email protected] Write: Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP. Practice Charter

The Doctors and Staff will always do their best for you. To provide the finest care for ALL Patients, follow these six simple guidelines:-

1. Cancel appointments that you cannot attend or no longer need, as someone else is always waiting.

2. Please think twice before requesting a doctor to your home as a visit is not always necessary.

3. Do not expect a prescription every time you visit the surgery as good advice may be the best treatment. 4. Please request your repeat prescription in good time to avoid delays.

5, Please treat your Doctor and all Staff as you would expect to be treated by them, with politeness and respect.

6. Please remember that Doctors and Staff are only human – they cannot solve all problems and some illnesses cannot be cured. Depression Questionnaire

This easy to use patient questionnaire has been validated for use in Primary Care.

It is used by your doctor to monitor the severity of depression and response to treatment.

It can also be used to make a tentative diagnosis of depression.

PHQ-9 Depression Assessment Questionnaire Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Programme

What are benzodiazepines and "Z" drugs and what are they used for?

Benzodiazepines are a group of medicines which are often used to treat anxiety e.g. Diazepam or used as sleeping tablets e.g. Temazepam or nitrazepam. The "Z" drugs (Zopiclone and Zimovane) are other sleeping tablets that are similare to benzodiazepines in how they work.

These medicines are usually very good at easing the symtpoms of anxiety or aiding sleep and are meant for short term use i.e 2-4 weeks. You should only take these medicines if your doctor has prescribed them for you - do not take medicines intended for other people. Ilegal versions of these are also available via the internet or on "the street". Common street names include "Valium, vallies, diazzies, blues, yellows, sleepers, benzos, Mogadon, temazzies, fives, tens, wee yellow men, downer. The quality of these is unknown and you should NOT buy or take these.

What happens if you take a benzodiazepine or "Z" drug for longer than 4 weeks?

You can usually stop taking one of these medicines without any problems if you only take them for 2-4 weeks. Longer use may cause problems such as tolerance and/or dependance.

TOLERANCE

If you take a benzodiazepine or "Z" drug regularly, after a few weeks the body and brain become used to it and the drug gradually loses its effect. You then need a higher dose fot it to work in the same way. In time, the higher dose will not work and you will need an even higher dose. This effect is called Tolerance.

DEPENDENCE

There is a good chance that if you take a benzodiazepine or "Z" drug for more than 4 weeks you will become dependent on them. THis means withdrawal symptoms can occur if the tablet is stopped suddenly and these may include:

 inability to sleep anxiety  sweating panic attacks  headache odd sensations  tremor feelings of unreality  feeling sick feeling awful  palpitations hearing and visual disturbance  muscle spasms

You may end up taking more medication to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

BENEFITS OF STOPPING BENZODIAZEPINES OR "Z" DRUGS

Stopping these medicines can have many benefits for your health including

 improved memory and reaction times  higher levels of alertness and enjoyment of life  more energy and ability to do things.

Stopping benzodiazepines or "Z" drugs

It is best to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to come off benzodiazepines or "Z" drugs. Some people cant stop taking them without any difficulty. However, to keep withdrawal effects to a minimum, it is often best to reduce the dose gradually over a number of weeks or months before finally stopping.

Practical Advice when you are coming off benzodiazepines or "Z" drugs.

You may have disturbed sleep when you are coming off the tablets. Try to anticipate and accept this

 Consider telling friends and family that you are stopping the tablets. They may give you encouragement and support  Consider joining a local self-help group. Advice and support from other people in similar circumstances can be very helpful.  Avoid taking extra tablets in times of stress  Do not make up for lack of tablets by drinking alcohol, taking other drugs (prescription, non-prescription or illict) or smoking.

Alternatives to benzodiazepines and "Z" drugs

Benzodiazepines offer short term relief to problems and your doctor may only prescribe these drugs for a short period of time to help you cope while your symptoms are severe. If you experience ongoing problems, it makes sense to start thinking about other ways of coping. You may consider:

 Regular exercise listening to music  Learning relaxation techniques Herbal alternatives  Follow the "Good Sleep Guide" available from you GP Surgery or Local Pharmacy.

Further sources of help and advice.

Belfast Area One Point of Access Woodstock Lodge 1-15 Woodstock Link Belfast BT6 8DD Tel: 028 9073 7547 North Down and Ards Area 3 Church Street Newtownards Tel :028 9151 2159 Lisburn Area TSL House Lisburn Tel: 02809266 8607 Down Area Shimna House Ward 15 DownshireHospital Ardglass Road Downpatrick Tel:028 4461 3311 Voluntary Organisations Dunlewey Substance Advice Centre 226 Stewartstown Road BELFAST BT17 0LB Tel: 028 9061 1162 NICAS (Northern Ireland Community Addiction Service) 40 Elmwood Avenue BELFAST BT9 6AZ Tel: 028 9066 4434 FASA (Forum for Action on Substance Abuse) 178-180 Shankill Road Belfast BT13 2BH Tel: 028 9080 3040 Carlisle House (Substance misuse residential treatment centre ) Helpline:028 9032 8308 Email: carlislehouse@ pcibsw.org www.carlislehouse.org Prepared by: EHSSB Prescribing Team and Belfast and South East Trusts’ Community Addiction Teams. February 2009

Change of Personal Details

In case we have to contact you urgently, please notify us immediately if your address or telephone number changes. Flu Vaccinations

If you have not received your flu vaccine yet there is still time for you to have the vaccine.

Please ring the receptionist to book your appointment with the treatment room nurse. GP Training

We are a GP Training Practice and have training medical Doctors and Nursing Students from time to time.

We hope you will co-operate with us and help the students to learn about general practice.

However, you will be informed in advance about their presence and if you do not wish them present at your consultation your wishes will be respected. This will not affect your treatment in any way. Staff Details

Doctors Dr Una Crossin MB BCH BAO DRCOG DGM MRCGP QUB 1984 Dr John Higgins MB BCH BAO DRCOG MRCGP Dublin 1987 Dr Clare Crossin MB BCH BAO DRCOG MRCGP QUB 1989 Dr Martin McMullan MB BCH BAO DRCOG MRCGP DMH QUB 1986 Dr Phil-Marie McAlea MB BCH BAO DRCOG MRCGP DTM QUB 1991 Dr Siobhan McCarron MB BCH BAO DRCOG MRCGP DCH DMH QUB 1993 Dr Heloise Archer MB BCH DRCOG DFFP DIPMH

Nurses Mrs Jacqueline RN RM Bsc(Hons) Prof Development in Nursing, Dip Coronary Coleman Heart Disease Prevention in Primary Care, Cert Breast and Cervical Screening Mrs Patricia RN, RM,Bsc (Hons)Professional Development in Nursing, Thompson Diploma in Coronary Heart Disease Prevention in Primary Care, Breast & Cervical Screening

Practice Management Mrs Tina Fegan Practice Manager Dip in Practice Management 1993

Reception We currently employ 15 reception staff. We are here to help and advise you with any problems. Mrs Emma Supervisor at Carrick Hill Medical Centre Tolan Mrs Mary Supervisor at Glen Road Surgery McGurk