IN its first year, the White Horse Health Centre has welcomed new services to Westbury, seen patient numbers grow and more doctors join the team.
The health centre opened its purpose-built home in Mane Way, Leigh Park, on the 17th September 2012. Practice manager Debbie Riddiford reflects on its first year – and the centre’s plans for the future.
“The first year has been a learning experience as we have got used to working in the new environment and being joined by many other health professionals and services who have been keen to provide local services in Westbury. We have also benefitted from having other community teams based with us at the health centre including health visitors, midwives, speech therapists and voluntary services such as Alzheimer’s Support and the Richmond Fellowship.’’
The health centre now has a whole range of new services being provided in Westbury. These include surgical services provided from the operating theatre where procedures such as hernia repairs and vasectomies are undertaken.
There is an x-ray service to support orthopaedic outpatient clinics, and also rheumatology clinics and community paediatric clinics. The breast screening service will be provided from a mobile unit in the car park at the health centre in October. There is also an NHS dental service and a private cosmetic dental service based at the health centre.
A new member of the team, Dr Alex Goranov, specialises in providing cosmetic treatments such as botox and dermal fillers. Patients can have a free consultation to discuss this service by contacting the dental practice.
Regular visits from chemotherapy van
Dr Debbie Beale said, “One of the particularly valued services we have is the mobile chemotherapy van which comes regularly and parks in the car park to provide services to patients who are being treated at Salisbury Hospital.
Hopes to bring even more services to town
“Looking to the future, our hope is that the RUH may decide to support the community chemotherapy service too, which would benefit patients who go to RUH. We are waiting to hear from the RUH if this will be possible.
“We are working with the RUH to trial a new community diabetes service and speaking to local hospitals about a variety of other potential services that could come to Westbury.’’
Since moving to the new health centre, the patient list size has grown by over 500 patients in the first year which has meant that the practice has needed to recruit additional doctors. Dr Clare Boulind, Dr Tony Greig and Dr Jaya Jilimudi have joined the practice over the last few weeks and have been welcome additions to the team.
Dr Riddiford says that the practice has always been mindful of patients who find it difficult travelling to the health centre from around the town. She said “We are very grateful to the town council and area board for their support in helping improve public transport facilities to our site. The Link Scheme have been brilliant in providing voluntary transport services for patients and we really appreciate all the work they have done. The patient participation group have also been a great source of support and ideas.’’
The practice says that, although it has suffered from inevitable teething problems with the new building, they are in the process of fixing them and have taken on feedback from patients. One example is that elderly or disabled patients have found the waiting room chairs uncomfortable, so more accessible chairs are being purchased. A member of the management team, Sam Rawlings, has been appointed as disability advocate. Sam is the point of contact for patients who have any difficulties or concerns with accessing the building or using any of the facilities.
Dr Beale said, “Our patients have been very supportive and encouraging of the new facilities we can offer them and we are very grateful for their patience over the last year as we have worked to put new services and systems in place.
“We would like to give credit to our staff at White Horse Health Centre who have all worked very hard over the last year to make it all possible. We are looking forward to going from strength to strength over the coming year and providing more services in Westbury for the benefit of our patients.’’