The practice staff ensure the smooth day to day running of the surgery. They can provide information and advice about the services we offer. All information is dealt with in the strictest confidence.
Denise
Practice manager
Jennifer
Assistant practice manager
Tracy
Reception lead
Marina
Patient services administrator
Louise
Medical secretary
Sophie
Prescription clerk
Sally
Care co-ordinator
Care navigation team
Care Navigators provide an important link for patients with the practice and are your initial contact point for general enquiries, booking appointments and home visits. They can provide basic information on services and results and direct you to the right person depending on your health issue or query.
Care Navigators are trained to ask you for some idea of what is happening to you so that as well as booking appointments with the Clinicians here at the Surgery they may also signpost you to other services more appropriate, eg Physio First and Pharmacy First. All information given to them is treated as highly confidential. They also perform other important tasks such as helping with online access queries and new registrations. They can also show patients how to use the Self Check In screen.
Elizabeth
Care navigator
Linda
Care navigator
Lotti
Care navigator
Clinical support team
James
Clinical Pharmacist
Have you received a call from our Clinical Pharmacist, or wondered what they do at Drybrook Surgery?
At Drybrook Surgery, we are committed to providing you with the best possible care. To help us do this, we work closely with a highly qualified Clinical Pharmacist as part of our practice team.
Many patients are surprised to learn that pharmacists do much more than dispense prescriptions in a high street chemist. Our clinical pharmacist is a medicines expert who works directly within our surgery alongside Dr Raymond, Katie Dyer, our GPs, and nursing team to make sure your medicines are safe, effective, and working well for you.
What does a Clinical Pharmacist do?
Our clinical pharmacist has advanced training in health and medication management. Their role is to help you get the maximum benefit from your medicines. They can:
- Conduct Structured Medication Reviews: A detailed discussion to go over all your prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, and vitamins. They check that your medicines are still right for you, aren’t causing unwanted side effects, and are safe to take together.
- Manage Long-Term Conditions: They support patients with ongoing health issues such as high blood pressure, asthma, type 2 diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.
- Follow Up on Home Blood Pressure Readings: If you have been monitoring your blood pressure at home, our pharmacist can review these readings with you over the phone, discuss lifestyle adjustments, and safely adjust your medication if needed.
- Review Medications After a Hospital Stay: If your medicines were changed while you were in hospital, they will update your records at the surgery and make sure you understand your new routine.
Why might a Clinical Pharmacist call you?
If you receive a phone call or an invitation to speak with our clinical pharmacist, please do not worry. This is a routine and proactive part of your healthcare. They may contact you to:
- Discuss your recent home blood pressure readings.
- Discuss any side effects or concerns you have about your current pills, inhalers, or creams.
- Carry out your annual medication review.
- Discuss changes to your prescriptions to ensure they align with the latest safety guidelines.
Your Choices and Privacy
- Confidentiality: Every consultation with our clinical pharmacist is completely confidential and documented securely in your GP medical record.
- Your Choice: You are always actively involved in decisions about your health. Our pharmacist uses a “shared decision-making” approach, meaning they will listen to your preferences and answer any questions you have before making any changes.
- Prescribing: Our regular clinical pharmacist, James, is a qualified independent prescriber. Please note that if James is away or on leave, his cover or replacement may not hold this qualification. In those instances, they will work directly under the close supervision of our GPs to manage your prescriptions safely.
If you have any questions about your medicines or would like to request an appointment with our clinical pharmacist, please contact our reception team on 01594 542239 or visit us online at drybrooksurgery.nhs.uk.