Doctors
DR SAUL MILLER
MB BCh (Wales1990 MPhil,DCH,MRCGP
Dr Miller has worked in North Northumberland for many years, previously having been a partner in neighbouring Belford Surgery and Glendale Surgery before the merger. Please see surgery times for when Dr Miller will be available.
DR VIKKI LONG
Dr Long joined Glendale Surgery in January 2021 and became a partner in 2022 prior to the practice merger. She works Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
DR TOBY COCKILL
Dr Cockill joined Glendale Surgery in August 2021 as a salaried GP and hold the same post in the merged practice.
DR ELIZABETH BATLEY
Dr Batley was previously a partner in Cheviot Medical Group before the practice merger. She has practiced in Wooler since 2005.
Nurses
MAUREEN BIRDSALL
Maureen joined the practice in August 2016. Maureen is a Wooler girl born and bred. She previously worked at Belford Surgery and is a very experienced nurse. Maureen’s clinics are on Tuesday between 10.30am and 6pm and Wednesday between 8.30am & 6pm. Please see ‘clinics’ for the further information re her work and appointment timings.
Healthcare Assistants
Healthcare Assistants carry out the following procedures: Blood tests, Blood pressure checks, Health checks (well man/well woman/over 75), Diabetic pre-clinic tests, B12 vaccines, Pneumonia, flu and shingles, vaccinations and ECGs.
SUE AISBITT
Sue works on Mondays between 8.30am and 4pm and Tuesdays between 8.30am and 11.30am.
Practice Management
CHRISTINE JAMES
Chris had been with Glendale Surgery from 1979 prior to the merger. She is a very experienced manager and manager the day to day running of all the administrative side of the practice. Chris is the person to go to with any problems you may have.
Reception
Our receptionists are usually the first point of contact and are here to help you. Most of the team have been with the practice for a number of years so are very experienced and have a lot of information to hand. They will be able to help with your enquiry and guide you to the service you require.
Everthing that is discussed with the receptionists or any other member of the team is treated in strict confidence. Nonetheless, it is your right to request to talk only to the doctor.
You have the right to be treated courteously and our receptionists also have the right to be treated courteously by you.
We are aware that the reception area is very open and we ask that you respect the privacy of other patients by standing behind the barrier in front of reception until it is your turn. We can also offer a degree of privacy in a separate room from reception if your enquiry is sensitive. There are cards on the reception desk that you can simply show to the receptionist.
Secretaries
SUSAN PURVIS
Susan is the practice secretary and joined the old Glendale Surgery in December 2000.
Susan supervises all the office administration tasks and correspondence including hospital referral letters, call-up to the various clinics we run and helps with QOF targets (Quality and Outcomes Framework).
Susan also carries out reception and dispensary duties in the afternoons and during evening surgeries so she juggles many hats, all with expertise.
Susan works every day but at different times during the week.
Dispensers
SUSAN PURVIS
Susan is the practice secretary and joined the old Glendale Surgery in December 2000.
Susan supervises all the office administration tasks and correspondence including hospital referral letters, call-up to the various clinics we run and helps with QOF targets (Quality and Outcomes Framework).
Susan also carries out reception and dispensary duties in the afternoons and during evening surgeries so she juggles many hats, all with expertise.
Susan works every day but at different times during the week.
HARRIET RICHARDSON
Harriet (Hatty) joined the practice early 2022 as a receptionist/dispenser. Hatty has vast experience in general practice and the dispensary having previously worked for Cheviot Medical Group.
Paramedic Team
The paramedics are based in the health centre and are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They work closely with the practice and are an integral part of the primary health care team and help us out when we need them in an emergency.
There is some perception that people can come to the surgery and ask to see the paramedic but this isn’t the case. The only way to get paramedic services is to dial 999 in an emergency. They are only based in the building and do not normally do routine work.
If you have any queries regarding the paramedic service, please contact North East Ambulance Service Headquarters or ask to speak to the paramedic on duty.
The team is made up of Stephen Fletcher, Rebecca Owen, Dave Herbert and Mark Napier
Community Nurses
The Wooler/Belford district nursing team, led by Community Matron Elaine Redmond, provide skilled nursing care and advice to housebound patients, carers, residential homes and GP surgeries. They offer expert and specialist nursing care for the acutely ill, palliative (end of life) care, chronic disease monitoring and care, leg ulcer and wound management, continence management and advice, and referral to other services.
District nursing visits normally take place between 8am and 7pm and the timing of your visit will depend on the need. The nurses will arrange home visits outside these times with the out of hours team.
Your needs will be assessed and reviewed throughout the course of your treatment and you may be asked to attend the surgery treatment room to complete your treatment unless you are permanently housebound.
The District Nursing Team comprises Elaine Redmond (Community Matron), Cath Birdsall (District Nursing Sister), Madeline Norris (Community Staff Nurse), Susan Tait (Healthcare Assistant)
From time to time you may also be visited by the district nurses based at Belford who are part of the Wooler/Belford team.
The District Nursing Team can be contacted on 01668 280040/41 or, outside normal working hours, 0300 1231931.
Health Visitors
Heather Bruce, Melanie Hodgkinson (Nursery Nurse) - The health visiting team look after the health and welfare of children under 5 years old.
Counsellors
Shelagh Brown - Counselling provides a one-to-one service in the practice with Shelagh who is a trained counsellor. Patients can talk about their problems to her in a relaxed and confidential environment.
Physiotherapists
Jed Browne - Physiotherapists have expertise in sub-specialist areas such as musculo-skeletal disorders (upper limbs, lower limbs, spinal and hands) and orthopaedics.
Physiotherapy is available in the Centre on Monday and Wednesday. Patients can be referred in for treatment via GPs and Hospital Consultants.
As well as normal physiotherapy treatment, options can also include laser therapy (bought by the Wooler Doctors’ Fund), electrotherapy and acupuncture.
Podiatrists
Sam Moses (Special Podiatrist), Lena Gray and Karen Swinburne (Podiatry Assistant)
Clinics are run by Sam Mondays and Thursdays and by Lena every second Tuesday. Karen is currently in training. They provide a home visiting service for the housebound.
The podiatry service is primarily concerned with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of disease and conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs, including nail surgery, pain relief for those with ‘at risk’ feet, e.g. diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, deformity.