Okehampton Medical Centre

ADMINISTRATION
The Practice Manager, Mrs Alison Shelton, has overall administrative charge of the practice staff, services and premises. She will be happy to help you with any queries, comments or suggestions you may wish to make.

Alison Shelton - BSc(Hon) Exeter
Cert H&SC IHM MSSCh MBCHA C&G Pharm Tech APTUK
Background: Pharmacy Technician – qualified in 1982. Worked in hospital and GP surgeries. Qualified Chiropodist with own business in East Devon. Moved to Okehampton. Did a degree at Exeter University and started dispensary in 1998. Appointed Practice Manager in October 2005.
Interests: Fishing, riding, cooking, small holding, any outdoor pursuits, travelling, first responder for South West Ambulance Trust in Northlew.

Jane Barrett - AMSPAR
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 - BSc Hons Geography
Background: I have worked in Health Service and Local Authority Administration and for the National Trust
Interests: I enjoy walking – especially on Dartmoor and the South West Coast Path, Wildlife and Gardening

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.

Jackie Jones - Registered General Sick Children’s and General Practice Nurse. Post reg qualifications in asthma, COPD, family planning, coronary heart disease, diabetes specialist nurse.
Background: Worked at Guys, worked and lived in Zambia, Orkney and Malaysia. Started as practice nurse in Okehampton in 1991. Now lead the Nurse Team and work as diabetes nurse in Okehampton and Mid Devon
Interests: Family, cooking, swimming, walking

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 - Dispensing Manager - Mrs Alison Shelton. We also employ 4 other trained dispensers, a trainee 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.

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.