Practice

Practice Profile

Benhill and Belmont GP Centre operates from two surgeries, both of which are fully equipped, and patients attend one or the other surgery. (The majority, 60% of patients, are registered at Benhill Avenue.)

The practice consists at the present time of five GP Principals, four GP Associates and two GP Registrars caring for 10,600 patients. In addition to the doctors, we also have an excellent integrated nursing team.

There are 4 Practice Nurses and 1 Health Care Assistant with a wide range of skills, and both Community Nurses and Health Visitors on site. Antenatal clinics are held weekly.

In addition to the clinical team we have experienced reception, administrative and managerial staff. Our practice team is a mixture of full and part time posts.

The practice started shortly after World War 2 and Benhill Avenue was developed in the 1960's; it has subsequently had several extensions added to the original building. The Belmont surgery was built in 1990, having moved from small premises across the road. Belmont has already had an extension added.

We use a personal list system, which, despite the presence of two surgeries, seems to work well. Our practice population is stable with less than l0% patient turnover per year. We have an above average number of elderly (aged over 75) patients at l0%. Ethnic Minorities make up 5% of the population of the London Borough of Sutton.

All doctors and staff are supported in broadening their medical practice, and, as well as primary care, we have particular interest and expertise in minor surgery, family planning, occupational health and travel medicine. The practice is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical teaching.

The Practice is also involved with its local Primary Care Trust. We are a constituent part of the South West London Primary Care Organisation, which is an overarching partnership of 7 practices. In addition, the practice is part of the Nelson Practice Based Commissioning Group.

Our Service to You

As a patient of this practice you can expect:

• To be seen the same day for conditions you and the doctor agree are urgent.
• To be seen by a doctor within 2 working days for non-urgent conditions. You may have to wait longer if you ask for a named doctor.
• To have your records treated confidentially, subject to your wish to have relatives and friends informed of the progress of your treatment.
• To be seen within thirty minutes of any appointment you are offered at the surgery and failing this, to give you an explanation.
• To be seen at home at your doctor’s discretion.
• To have your long term medication and treatment reviewed at agreed intervals.
• To be informed (through leaflets, notices, etc.) of the practice’s services and how best to use them.
• To receive healthcare in clean, comfortable and appropriate surroundings.
• To be treated with respect and courtesy.
  

Help us to Help you

As a patient of this practice we expect you:

• To inform the practice of changes in personal details, i.e. changes of name or address.
• To treat the doctors and practice staff with respect and courtesy.
• To observe the timings/procedures given for appointments, telephone calls, prescriptions, etc.
• To give the practice as much notice as possible if you are unable to keep a booked appointment.
• To make more than one appointment if more than one person needs to be seen.
• To be prepared to make further appointments if you have numerous or complicated problems.
• To be patient if appointment times are running late – it may be you who needs the extra time on another occasion.
• To ask for a home visit only if the illness prevents you from attending the surgery – children can usually be brought to the surgery.
• To take time to read the notices in the waiting area. These are displayed to inform you of relevant practice or local information. 
  

New Patients

To register as a patient either phone or visit the practice to check that you live within the practice area. The receptionists can then assist you in registering.

All new patients will be asked to complete a health questionnaire and book an appointment with either a nurse or doctor, within a month of registering, for a health assessment. This allows us to gain a quick understanding of any health problems.

We are now required by law to collect ethnicity data. The ethnic category questionnaire will be handed to you to complete when you register with the practice. 

Spoken Languages

For patients whose main language is not English, the following languages are offered by the surgery. French, Hindi, Italian, Punjabi, Sinhalese and Urdu.

Three days prior notification is required to use this service.

The practice also has access to a Face-to-Face and Telephone Interpreting Service for non urgent appointments. Please let the receptionist know when booking an appointment, including the language required.

Training

The practice is approved for providing training to qualified doctors who are pursuing a career in general practice. These doctors are with us for up to one year and have at least three years’ experience in hospital medicine.

The practice is also involved in training newly qualified doctors who are undertaking a range of posts before deciding on a specialization.

In addition, the practice is involved in the training of medical students. They may sit in with your doctor. Your permission will be requested for this at the start of consultation.

Link to the London deanery www.londondeanery.ac.uk  

Disabled Access

Both our surgeries are accessible by wheelchair and have toilet facilities if required.

We suggest that, if you have problems entering the surgeries, you should tell the receptionist when you make your appointment so that they can be prepared to help you.

Complaints and Suggestions

We constantly strive to give you the best possible care and attention. If you have any suggestions or are unhappy about any aspect of our service, please ask to talk to either your own doctor or the practice manager. The practice operates a formal complaints procedure in conjunction with the PCT.