Alison Shelton
Practice & Dispensary Manager

Background: Have worked at the Okehampton Medical Centre for 10 years, firstly as receptionist, then medical secretary and have been in current post – office supervisor - for 6 years

Interests: Walking, cycling, music (festivals), socialising with friends and family

Our Receptionists are fully trained and are there to help you make appointments. We attach great importance to confidentiality and this is respected by all staff.

Alison Williams
Senior Receptionist

Doctors’ Secretaries – all the doctors have personal secretaries who can be contacted with specific enquiries about your care, for example results.

Practice Nurses – Our team of practice nurses can help with advice and solve many problems. They work with the doctors to provide ECGs, blood tests, ear syringing and other services. >

Medical Secretaries - will type referral letters for the doctors and can also organise your referral by Choose and Book if your doctor has requested it.

Dispensing Staff - The Dispensing Manager is Alison Shelton. She is supported by Zena Balsdon, the dispensing supervisor. There are also 4 trained dispensers and an assistant. They are all happy to help with your enquiries about your medication. If there are any problems with medication they can contact a doctor on your behalf.

Phlebotomy – Our phlebotomists take blood samples by appointment in the mornings.

The doctors and nurses work together to provide a variety of clinics which are detailed in Our Services.

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TEAM

Health Visitors
There are 3 health visitors who work with the doctors. They have a particular responsibility for all children under 5. They are registered nurses with extra training in health promotion in the community. Generally they work with the patients registered with a particular doctor. As well as running regular clinics, they are happy to give advice on any aspect of health and welfare of children and babies. They can be contacted on their direct line, telephone number 01837 658026 on which there is an answer phone facility for when they are out of their offices.

District Nurses
There is a team of district nurses based in the surgery. They can be contacted through the surgery (01837 52233) during office hours and through the Community Hospital (01837 658031) at weekends. They provide care to patients in their own homes.

Physiotherapists
There is a full physiotherapy service at Okehampton Community Hospital. Appointments are made after consultation with your doctor

Midwives
There is a team of midwives working in the community and in the Maternity Unit at the Okehampton Community Hospital and visiting new mothers until the baby is 10-14 days old. They run clinics in the Medical Centre on Wednesday afternoons. They also run parent craft classes. They can be contacted via the Community Hospital on 01837 658013 on which there is an answer phone facility for when they are out of their offices.

Community Mental Health Team
The practice has close links with this team and people suffering with mental health problems may be referred to them for assessment, counselling and support.

Hospicecare Nurses
These specially trained nurses are involved in the care of people with cancer and other terminal illnesses. They offer support and advice to patients and their relatives. They can be contacted on 01837 658077.

Carers’ Carer
This is a support worker who is involved in helping people who have long term care of sick and dependent relatives and she can be contacted through Carer’s Link, c/o Unit – Carers in Mid Devon, 2 Bridge St, Tiverton, EX16 5LY.

Gaye Hill, Hospice Care Nurse